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ATOMIC  CREATION 


AND 


OTHER  POEMS 


BY 


CORNELIUS  P.  SCHERMERHORN, 


1883. 


qS 


COPYRIGHT,  1883,  by 
CORNELIUS  P.  SCHERMERHORN. 


PRESS  OP 
C.    D.    WYNKOOP, 
NEW  YORK. 


Tn  my 

EstEEniEd  friEnd 

and  fEllD^A^  citizEH; 

rlon.    loslar)  ^utQerlancI, 

tliESE  Fdeitls  ars 
dEdicatGd. 


M204205 


PREFA CE 


Kind  friend,  gentle  reader, 
These  poems  to  you   I  tender. 
Hoping  they  will,  on  inspection, 
Receive  approval,  approbation. 

If  not  gems,  brilliant  or  rare. 
They  may  be  worth  reading  with  care, 
In  examining  them  at  your  leisure. 
May  afford  both  profit  and  pleasure. 

If  in  these  poems  you  should  find. 
On  perusal  food  for  the  mind, 
A  thought  worthy  to  treasure, 
I  shall  be  amply  paid  for  my  labor. 


CONTENTS 


Atomic  Creation,  .._.---i 

Niagara,            ..-.-__-  ^5 

The  Red  Man,              -_--.--  60 

Not  a  Washington, -  63 

A  Republic,      -                 -_•.-.  68 

The  Flag,             ......_-  70 

Napoleon, 74 

The  Rights  of  Labor, 79 

Be  Cheerful, 82 

Art  versus  Nature,               -        .         -        -        -        -  84 

Ode  to  the  Sun, Zy 

The  Winds, --90 

The  Eloquence  of  Silence, 93 

Time,  and  the  Lost  Arts,             -        .        .        _        .  f^g 

Ode  to  the  Ocean,            ..-.__  jqi 

The  Mountain  Lake,            -         -         -         -         -         -  104 

Cottage  near  the  Sea,          -        -        -        -        -        -  106 

To  Louisa, _        _        .  109 

Rosevale,              1 1 1 

Liberty, -         -         -         -  113 

Awake, 'Tis  Morn,               116 

Maple  Vale, -        -        -  119 

The  Milk  Maid, -  121 

To  Lizzie,             -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -  123 


Vi.  CONTENTS. 

To  Etta. 125 

The  Rose,            -        - 127 

To  Mary,          .        -        .- 130 

Katy  Brown,        -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -'33 

To  a  Wedded  Pair,           -.-.-•  135 

The  Hermit  Home, *        -  i37 

Oak  Hall, ^39 

The  Snow, Hi 

The  Rainbow, ^43 

Babe  of  Bethlehem, h6 

Autumn  Leaves, H^ 

The  Falling  Tear,            -                 -        -        -        -  151 

To-Morrow, -  '54 

The  Passing  Year,            -        -        -        -        -        -  ^57 

An  Elysium,                  160 

The  Parting,     --------  162 

Waiting, -         -  164 

Voyage  of  Life,        -        -        -        -        -        -        -  ^^6 

The  Spring, 169 

Love, ^71 

The  Family  Home,     -        -        -        -        ■        ~        -  ^75 

The  Silent  Home, •  ^79 

Ambition,             -        -        -        -        -        -         -         -  183 

Hope,                -  187 

Time,           .        -         - 191 

To  a  Wedded   Wiod'w                i94 

Well-Spent  Life, 196 


A  TOMIC  CREA  TION, 

While  of  creation  I  sing, 

Invoke  the  muse's  wonted  fire, 
To  penetrate  nature's  scheme, 

My  thoughts  my  pen  inspire. 

A  theme  wondrous,  sublime  ! 

An  undertaking  bold ; 
To  scan  the  depths  of  Time, 

Its  doings  to  unfold. 

Amid  the  realms  of  night. 
Ere  orbs  above  did  glow ; 

Before  they  took  their  flight, 
Or  worlds  evolv'd  below. 


ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Ere  the  sun  shed  its  rays, 
Before  the  moon  did  beam, 

Ere  there  came  dawn  or  days, 
Atoms  we  trace — no  being. 

Footprints,  there  were  none  around, 

All  was  silent,  drear. 
No  voice  was  heard,  no  sound 

There  was,  no  revolving  year. 

Atoms,  imperial  reigned 
Amid  space  ;  they  strode 

Within  their  vast  domain, 
In  solitude  they  rode. 

Atoms  did  every  where  abound, 

Swiftly  they  whirl'd. 
Until  a  rest  they  found, 

Amid  a  forming  world. 


ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Through  boundless  regions  swept, 
To  find  their  fellow  mate, 

Journeying,  never  slept, 
Traveling  early,  late: 

Onward  the  atoms  flew, 
Kindred  atoms  to  meet ; 

Came  in  numbers,  not  few, 
They  fondly  did  greet. 

In  the  atoms  primal. 
Reside  forces  that  draw. 

That,  to  forming  centres,  travel, 
Obedient  to  law. 

Amid  depths  abyssmal, 

They  sped  their  way, 
Drawn  by  forces  rythmal. 

To  where  worlds  in  embryo  lay. 


ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Atom  followed  its  fellow  atom, 

To  nucleus  far  did  hie, 
Where  they  worlds  did  fashion. 

Below,  around,  on  high. 

Roaming  in  myriad^  numbers, 

Onward  they  did  course 
To  their  forming  centres. 

Whence  evolv'd  the  universe. 

In  time's  misty  pages. 

As  we  their  traces  scan, 
In  them  read  atomic  doings, 

How  orbs  evolv'd,  and  man. 

Worlds  in  their  order  came, 

Were  from  central  nucleus  thrown, 

Cours'd  mid  fire  and  flame. 
Mid  cycles  past,  unknown. 


ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Revolving  centres  were  form'd 
Amid  the  depths  of  space, 

From  which  worlds  evolv'd, 
And  ran  their  circling  race. 

By  forces  centrifugal, 

Orbs  from  nuclei  were  hurl'd. 
They  by  forces  centripetal, 

Around  their  centres  whirl'd. 

As  on  their  axis  they  did  roll, 
Satellites  they  unfurl'd. 

They  circled  their  axial  pole, 
And  thus  evolv'd  the  worlds. 

We  mark  their  orbital  course, 
As  they  did  onward  bound. 

Those  units  of  the  universe. 
Traveling  their  annual  round. 


ATOMIC  CREATION. 

The  orbs  above  that  glow, 

They  move  in  wondrous  order ; 

We  their  orbital  places  i^  know, 
Their  paths  tracing  ever. 

The  power  that  whirls  the  spheres, 

In  primordial  forces  lay ; 
They  have  cours'd  for  untold  years, 

From  their  circuits  ne'er  did  stray. 

This  boundless  temple  of  nature, 
In  which  worlds  revolve  ever, 

By  the  laws  of  gravitation 
Are  firmly  held  together. 

Nature's  imperial  scales. 
Faultless,  commit  no  error ; 

Thus  order  everywhere  prevails 
Within  the  dome  of  nature. 


ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Far  beyond  the  milky  way, 

Countless  worlds  do  glide- 
Mightier  than  the  orb  of  day, 
Primal  forces  do  them  guide. 

The  orbs  their  places  know, 
From  them  do  ne'er  depart ; 

In  order  move,  above,  below — 
What  skill,  what  wondrous  art. 

How  far  soe'er  away. 

How  numerous  or  vast. 
Scales  infallible  did  them  weigh — 

They  ne'er  move  too  slow,  too  fast. 

In  forces  elemental  dwell 

The  power  that  whirls  them  'round, 
Directs  their  paths  so  well, 

1  heir  circuitfto  a  moment 


ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Those  primordial  laws  in  matter, 
Guide  all  the  orbs  that  roll ; 

The  imperial  scales  of  nature 
Balances  the  whole. 

Since  orbs  began  their  course, 
And  worlds  in  space  were  hurl'd 

Amid  the  boundless  universe, 
Harmonic  order  has  prevailed. 

Those  atomic  architects, 

Had  endless  time  for  building: 

In  their  method  are  no  defects — 
They  primal  laws  obeying. 

In  their  silent  bound 

Have  constructed  a  unique  temple ; 
No  error  in  their  plans  are  found — 

With  resources  exhaustless,  ample. 


ATOMIC   CREATION. 

In  those  tiny  builders 

Dwell  the  molehill,  the  mountain, 
The  dew  drop  that  glitters, 

The  rivulet,  the  fountain. 

Ocean,  with  its  weird  refrain, 
Tall  glaziers  that  in  it  glide. 

Tidal  waves  that  sweep  the  main, 
In  atoms  these  reside. 

The  snow  flake  that  descends, 

The  meteors  that  flame. 
The  thunderbolt  that  rends — 

They  from  atoms  came. 

The  diamond,  its  sparkling  fire, 

The  ruby,  with  its  glow, 
The  pearl,  the  glowing  sapphire — 

These  gems  atoms  did  bestow. 


10  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Comets  that  flame  and  burn, 
That  roam  in  depths  of  space 

For  a  thousand  years,  ere  they  return, 
To  atoms  these  we  trace. 

The  tender  leaflet,  the  flower, 
The  rose,  with  its  perfume, 

That  adorns  the  bower, 
That  corridors  festoon. 

The  old  forest  oak. 

That  withstood  centuries  of  storm, 
T^t  time  at  length  smote, 
^TllCTi  the  atoms  did  form. 

The  soft  zephyrs  that  blow, 

The  cyclone  that  whirls 
O'er  the  ocean,  and  lo, 

Ships  beneath  are  hurl'd. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  11 

Heaven's  fork'd  lightning, 

That  sweeps  across  the  sky, 
Denizens  of  earth  frightning, 

In  atoms  these  forces  lie, 

The  condor,  mounting  high. 

The  smallest  insect  that  flies, 
The  eagle  from  his  eyry. 

Far  off  his  prey  descries. 

From  tiny  germ  to  massive  mastodon, 

That  once  roamed  the  earth, 
Atoms  did  form,  did  fashion,  w 

It  to  all  life  gave  birth. 

All  worlds  from  atoms  came, 

Mid  the  cycles  that  ran ; 
The  orbs  passed  through  fire  and  flame, 

Before  life  on  them  began. 


12  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Man,  with  his  imperial  brain, 
Who  scans  the  distant  spheres, 

On^earth  supreme  doth  reign, 

Evolv'd  from  atoms,  mid  the  years. 

While  of  orb  and  systems  I  sing, 
And  forces  that  them  sway. 

Will  not  now  dwell  on  organic  being, 
But  on  solar  worlds  that  near  us  lay. 

The  planets  that  roll  in  marvelous  order, 
Around  the  mighty  orb  of  day ; 

He  guides  their  pathway  ever — 
None  from  him  do  stray. 

Apollo  did  them  hurl — 

Into  space  was  thrown ; 
He  them  around  did  whirl — 
They  were  children  of  his  own. 


ATOMIC   CREATION.  13 

First,  Neptune,  with  his  trident,  courses 

Around  the  central  sphere, 
Guided  by  imperial  forces. 

In  one  hundred  eighty  years. 

Next  Georgium  Sidus  came, 

Six  moons  this  world  doth  light ; 

A.round  the  glowing  orb  of  flame, 
In  ninety  years  performs  his  flight. 

Saturn,  god  of  Time,  five  rings  him  adorn. 

Eight  moons  do  light  his  course  ; 
In  thirty  years  his  round  performs. 

Amid  the  solar  universe. 

Jupiter,  fourth  and  monarch  of  the  worlds. 
But  Apollo  doth  him  guide  and  sway ; 

In  twelve  years  around  him  whirls — 
Four  moons  do  light  his  way. 


14  ATOMIC  CREATION. 


Mars,  deck'd  in  war's  grim  visage, 


Fifth  in  the  planetary  race, 

one  performs  his  entoeage, 

No  moon  to  light  this  orb,  we  trace. 


Earth  next  his  jougiey  makes 

Around  the  central  orb  ; 
A  single  year  his  circuit  takes — 

One  moon  doth  light  this  world. 

Venus,  brilliant,  bright  and  fair, 
Next  courses  in  regal  splendor; 

To  this  queen  of  beauty  rare 
The  orbs  court  do  render. 

Mercury,  last  and  least  of  the  planets. 

That  around  Apollo  sweep — 
No  moon  doth  light  his  circuit — 

Unlit  his  path  he  keeps. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  15 

Spheres  between  Mars  and  Jupiter  are  seen, 
These  around  feigli-Pnoebus  gHde  ; 

On  them  he  doth  radiant  beam, 
Their  circuit  doth  prescribe. 


All  these  the  central  orb*  obey. 
He  guides  their  pathway  ever ; 

They  ne'er  from  him  can  stray, 
Or  from  each  other  sever. 

The  Sun,  with  his  train  of  worlds, 
Circles  the  imperial  alcyone ; 

In  eighteen  million  years  he  whirls 
Around  this  astral  dome. 

On  those  spheres  that  roll  around 
The  imperial  orb  of  day, 

Air  and  oceans  do  abound. 
And  fork'd  lightnings  play. 


16  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Seasons  that  unfold  verdure, 
Fragrant  flowers  that  bloom  ; 

Springtime,  summer,  winter. 

Evening,  twilight,  morn,  high  noon. 

On  those  revolving  spheres 

Myriad  beings  dwell, 
That  came  with  the  coursing  years — 

None  their  forms  can  tell. 

While  I  have  sang  of  solar  orbs 

That  around  Apollo  glide. 
Let  me  sing  of  sidereal  worlds, 

That  far  away  reside. 

As  we  view  yon  dome  of  stars, 
That  glow  in  radiant  splendor, 

The  light  that  came  from  those  orbs  afar, 
Many  years  in  space  did  wander. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  17 

Light,  with  its  rapid  flight 

Of  twelve  million  miles  a  minqte, 
Ere  a  ray  from  the  nearest  reach  our  sight, 

Ten  years  hath  sped  ere  our  orb  doth  visit. 

Yon  bright  star,  Centauri, 

Before  its  light  on  earth  did  beam, 

For  twenty  years  in  space  must  fly, 
Ere  by  mortal  eye  'tis  seen. 

As  we  view  yon  sidereal  orb  Cigni — 
The  ray  that  left  its  starry  home — 

Before  it  did  reach  our  eye, 
Fifty  years  in  space  did  roam. 

We  behold  the  stellar  panorama, 

Its  far  off  brilliant  dome, 
The  light  that  left  Cappalla 

For  earth,  a  hundred  years  had  flown. 


18  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

The  rays  that  glow  from  Arcturus, 
Whose  speed  outruns  the  Hghtning — 

Before  it  courses  to  us, 

Two  hundred  years  was  traveHng. 

The  polar  star,  the  mariner's  guide. 
Its  rays  that  reach  his  eye  at  night, 

His  bark  to  steer  o'er  ocean's  tide, 
Was  five  hundred  years  in  flight. 

The  imperial  orb,  Alcyone, 
So  distant  is  it  from  our  world — 

The  liglit  that  left  its  far-off  home 

For  earth,  a  thousand  years  had  whirl'd. 

Yon  brilliant  star,  Sirius, 

So  remote  is  it  in  space. 
If  Sol  revolv'd  so  far  from  us, 

His  light  we  ne'er  could  trace. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  19 

Myriad  suns  there  are, 

Circling  vast  centres  round, 
Whose  rays  are  lost  in  ethereal  air, 

Amid  depths  of  space  profound. 

Stellar  orbs  revolve,  whose  light 

For  million  years  did  roam, 
With  its  winged  arrow  flight, 

Have  not  yet  reached  our  solar  home. 

Ponderous  spheres.beyond  "the  milky  way" 

Around  mightier  orbs  do  glide ; 
On  other  worlds  their  light  display, 

Before  they  reach  earth,  fade. 

Suns  course  beyond  suns,  and  further  on, 

There  arise  in  endless  succession 
Other  suns,  that  around  other  centres  run 

And  orbs  and  systems  unending. 


20  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

As  from  them  we  take  observation, 

From  either  side  of  earth's  orbital  base, 

Scarce  an  arc  of  variation 
In  the  visual  lines  we  trace. 

Earth  had  sped  two  hundred  million  miles  away 
From  where  the  first  view  was  taken  ; 

At  this  distance  the  lines  parallel  lay, 
They  not  a  second  subtending. 

Such  the  marvelous  depths  of  creation — 

None  can  it  know  or  scan  ; 
Defying  all  mensuration, 

All  powers  of  imperial  man, 

Before  it  we  stand  appalled. 

Lost  in  silent  wonder ; 
None  the  empyrean  heights  have  solv*d, 

Or  depths  of  this  dome  of  nature. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  21 

As  we  have  sang  of  distant  spheres, 
Their  unfolding  from  atomic  matter, 

Amid  the  ever  circling  years, 
Let  us  view  organic  life  that  came  later. 

When  earth  into  space  was  hurl'd, 

It  revolv'd  an  orb  of  flame  ; 
For  cycles  'twas  an  igneous  world, 

Before  life  on  it  there  came. 

A  firey  sphere  it  roll'd, 

Around  its  centre  cours'd : 
No  life  it  did  unfold 

Amid  a  forming  universe. 

In  solitude  it  whirl'd  around 

The  central  orb  of  fire  ; 
No  life  on  it  was  found — 

All  was  silent,  drear. 


22  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

It  rcvolv'd  for  ages  long, 
Amid  the  solitudes  of  night ; 

No  voice  was  heard,  no  song — 
Silent  it  sped  its  flight. 

For  cyles  'twas  a  flaming  mass, 
Coursing  around  its  centre, 

The  ages  that  rolled  past, 
None  can  know  or  number. 

Its  flames  at  length  grew  dim, 
It  roll'd  an  orb  of  flame  no  more, 

Its  glowing  fires  retir'd  within, 
Vapors  dense  did  upward  pour. 

Its  central  fires  fiercely  raged, 

Earth's  surface  was  rended,  broken, 

Streams  of  lava  o'er  it  surg'd. 
Of  life  there  was  no  token. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  2H 

Water  came  to  its  depths,  retir'd, 

Rivers  cours'd  by  unseen, 
Earth,  sombre  and  unattir'd, 

Unfolded  no  being. 

Vapors  that  upward  rose, 

Return'd  in  falling  rain  ; 
A  hardening  surface  earth  did  disclose, 

But  still  no  life  there  came. 

Storms  o'er  earth  did  glide. 

Tidal  waves  lav'd  its  shore, 
Sol,  unseen,  o'er  the  heavens  did  ride, 

Earth's  fires  were  seen  no  more. 

The  stars  above  did  glow. 

Earth  was  wrapp'd  in  vapors  dense, 
His  rays  did  not  pass  the  mist  below, 

For  many  ages  hence. 


24  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

When  earth's  vapors  did  ascend, 
Revealing  the  azure  skies, 

Rare  beauty  it  did  lend, 
But  not  to  mortal  eyes. 

The  moon  shed  its  silvery  light, 
Arcturus  did  brightly  beam, 

There  was  none  to  view  the  sight. 
On  earth  there  was  no  being. 

Hills  arose,  and  mountains, 
Valleys,  but  no  verdure, 

Lakes  appeared,  and  fountains. 
But  no  organic  creature. 

Islands  upheav'd,  'mid  ocean 
Thunders  loud  did  roll. 

The  elements  were  in  commotion, 
From  near  to  farther  pole. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  25 

Showers,  gentle  dews  there  fell, 

The  earth  was  deck'd  in  green, 
Cloth'd  the  dale  and  dell, 

But  there  came  no  being. 

This  orb  for  life  at  length  was  fitted, 

For  ages  long  it  did  prepare. 
Constituents  of  life  was  segregated 

In  its  waters,  land  and  air. 

It  to  life  at  last  gave  birth, 

A  formless  germ  there  came, 
*Twas  life,  it  sprang  from  earth. 

Without  function,  form  or  name. 

This  life  that  on  earth  Vose, 

We  in  the  rocks  do  trace. 
They  to  us  disclose 

The  type  whence  sprang  the  race. 


26  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

As  coursing  Time  swept  on, 

Amid  earth's  granite  pages, 
In  the  epoch  huron, 

We  behold  life's  upward  stages. 

In  the  Laurentian  strata. 

Species  protozoan  are  seen, 
And  Rhizopods,  at  this  data, 

A  higher  type  of  being. 

Advancing  in  the  organic  scale. 

In  earth^s  age  salurian. 
The  molusk  did  prevail. 

And  the  order  crestacean. 

Trilobytes  fillM  the  ocean. 

New  species  of  invertebrate  there  came, 

The  brachiopods  were  in  motion. 
In  its  seas  did  long  remain. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  27 

Life,  in  changing  forms,  went  on, 

As  the  cycles  cours'd  by, 
In  earth's  epoch,  devonian, 

We  a  higher  type  descry. 

Vertebrates  in  this  era  came, 

Fishes  of  the  ganoid  order. 
They  in  its  ocean  long  did  reign. 

Of  hetrocertal  type  and  structure. 

As  we  trace  life  onward,  later, 

Species  reptillian  were  found 
In  earth's  age  triasic,  and  after 

This,  order  did  abound. 

The  icthysaurs  its  seas  did  roam. 

With  telescopic  eye  and  rapid  sweep  ; 

Monarch  in  his  ocean  home. 
His  victims  caught,  did  eat. 


28  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

As  life  we  upward  trace, 

As  it  rose  in  the  scale  organic, 

New  types  there  came  apace, 
Birds  appeared  in  the  age  oolitic. 

In  earth's  period,  Jurassic, 
It  great  Saurians  did  unfold, 

The  dinosaurs,  in  form  titanic, 
And  massive,  we  behold. 

Later  in  the  epoch  miocene, 

Mammalian  quadrupeds  did  roam, 

The  huge  mastodon,  magatherium, 

And  mammoth  made  earth  their  home. 

They  on  it  roamed  for  ages, 

Trod  its  firm  surface  o'er. 
When  in  later  tertiary  stages 

They  sank  beneath  to  rise  no  more. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  29 

New  forms  of  life  evolvM  apace, 
They,  in  time,  gave  place  to  others, 

Better  fitted  for  the  race. 
To  meet  life's  rude  encounters. 

In  the  world's  age  pliocene. 

The  order,  quadrumana,  rose, 
A  still  higher  type  of  organic  being 

A  later  period  did  disclose. 

So  life  arose  in  the  organic  scale, 

In  its  progressive  bound. 
Until  man  it  did  unvail 

In  the  post  tertiary  age  was  found. 

For  ages  long  earth  did  prepare, 

Its  soil  it  cloth'd  with  verdure. 
With  oxygen  supplied  the  air, 

For  this  last  noblest  work  of  nature. 


30  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Life  in  various  forms  had  risen, 

In  numerous  types  appear'd  on  earth, 

None  the  time  computing, 
Before  it  to  man  gave  birth. 

Man  stood  the  highest  type  of  life, 

That  arose  amid  the  ages, 
Since  its  dawn  and  strife, 

The  rocks  reveal  the  stages. 

The  lowest  forms  are  found  below, 
As  we  trace  the  organic  mould. 

And  to  earth's  surface  go, 
The  highest  types  unfold. 

In  ocean's  upheav'd  strata, 

The  dead  lay  pil'd  in  mountains  deep, 
Of  this  tomb  of  life  we  have  no  data, 

Of  the  myriad  that  there  do  sleep. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  31 

O'er  this  mausoleum  of  the  past, 

Of  earth's  countless  dead 
That  perish'd  'mid  cycles  vast, 

The  living  do  o'er  them  tread. 

From  this  organic  tomb 

Our  marble  palaces  we  build, 
Their  massive  corridors  and  domes 

With  tablets  moulded  from  the  dead  are  filled. 

As  new  environments  arose  on  earth. 

From  subsidence  of  land  or  water, 
It  to  other  forms  of  life  gave  birth, 

And  they  to  others,  later. 

So  life  conform'd  to  earth's  conditions, 

Old  types  did  disappear. 
Others  arose  with  new  functions. 

On  this  ever  changing  sphere. 


32  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Amid  ages  of  contending  strife, 
In  its  waters,  on  its  land, 

There  arose  myriad  forms  of  life, 
Until  man  on  earth  did  stand. 

When  primitive  man  appeared, 

He  had  no  habitation, 
He  no  temples  rear'd, 

Had  no  weapons  for  protection. 

He  roam*d  on  earth  a  nomad, 
The  caves  were  his  abode. 

Unkempt  and  unclad, 

'Mid  forest  depths  he  strode. 

As  onward  we  man  trace, 
This  denizen  of  caverns, 

This  prototype  of  our  race, 
Constructed  rude  dwellings. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  33 

Far  back  in  ages  prehistoric, 

He  weapons  had  invented, 
Him  to  shield  from  carniverous  visit, 

To  caves  no  more  resorted. 

In  the  stone  ages  there  did  abound 

Structures  on  piles  driven, 
In  them  utensils  for  use  were  found. 

Footprints  of  a  dawning  civilization. 

As  centuries  onward  rolled, 

In  the  bronze  age  was  seen 
How  primitive  man  did  unfold 

In  the  scale  of  organic  being. 

The  massive  structures  of  th«jage 

The  modern  do  surpass, 
What  toiling  millions  did  engage 

In  rearing  those  edifices  vast. 


34  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

They  huge  and  ponderous  stand, 
Old  Time  did  o'er  them  sweep, 

Beneath  those  structures  grand 
Their  unknown  builders  sleep. 

They  are  lost  to  historic  fame, 
None  their  times  or  age  can  tell, 

Their  sepultures  reveal  no  names, 
When  they  on  earth  did  dwell. 

Artists  of  ancient  fame,  renown, 
Ocean  o'er  their  works  did  sweep. 

Before  its  tidal  wave  went  down. 
They  lie  beneath  the  deep. 

Rare  works  of  art  and  sculpture. 

That  in  ages  past  arose, 
Have  disappeared,  sank  under. 

Coming  time  may  them  disclose. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  36 

The  arts  that  buried  lie, 

Future  man  will  unearth,  unfold, 

They  will  astound  the  artist's  eye. 
When  he  their  beauty  does  behold. 

Those  works  of  the  unknown  past, 

That  old  Time  has  swept  away, 
Ornate  temples,  obelisks  vast. 

May  yet  behold  the  light  of  day. 

They  future  villas  will  adorn. 

Their  statues  on  public  plazas  stand, 

Modern  art  of  its  fame  be  shorn 
By  the  works  of  an  unknown  hand. 

In  Egypt's  forty  dynasties  we  trace 

How  man  mentally  had  risen. 
The  arts  of  this  ancient  race 

Revealed  a  high  civilization. 


^  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

Her  temples  massive,  grand, 
Of  artistic  mould  and  sculpture, 

As  before  those  mighty  works  we  stand. 
We  gaze  in  mute  wonder. 

Her  obelisks,  her  catacombs, 

Sepultures  in  which  her  princes  slumber, 
Her  pillars,  palatial  domes, 

The  reign  of  her  regnal  sovereigns  number. 

Imperial  cities  of  unrivalled  splendor, 

Her  pyramids  colossal,  / OLOC 
The  gorgeous  ruins  of  Carnac  Luxor, 

We  reverent  before  them  fall. 

Her  pyramids  to  us  reveal 

How  the  sciences  she  did  unfold. 

The  laws  of  nature  did  unseal, 
From  those  observatories  of  old. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  37 

For  astronomical  purp<i)ses  erected, 

The  planetary  motions  to  trace, 
Here  their  orbital  times  were  calculated, 

As  they  revolv'd  *mid  space. 

To  commemorate  the  round  of  the  pleiades 
The  pyramid  cheops  was  erected. 

Requiring  a  period  of  ten  thousand  decades, 
To  return  from  whence  they  started. 

It  also  signalled  the  conjunction 

Of  the  planetary  spheres, 
A  phenomena  not  again  occurring 

In  o'er  five  thousand  years. 

As  coursing  Time  swept  on. 

The  arts  advanced  apace, 
In  the  Grecian  parthenon, 

We  its  matchless  beauties  trace 


38  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

In  her  far-famed  Attica, 
The  highest  art  did  unfold, 

The  temples  of  Theseus,  Minerva, 
We  with  mute  awe  behold. 

This  rude  city  of  Crecopia, 

That  to  such  eminence  had  risen, 

The  statues  of  Jupiter,  Diana, 
Are  the  world's  admiration. 

She  gave  birth  to  philosophers,  sages. 
Who  nature's  problems  did  scan, 

Whose  aphorisms  adorn  the  ages, 
Thus  arose  primitive  man. 

As  we  onward  trace  civilization 

To  Rome,  that  to  vast  power  arose, 

She  unfolded  orators,  statesmen, 
And  warriors  that  slew  her  foes. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  39 

Her  civilians  gave  law  to  the  world, 
Her  orators  thundered  in  the  forum, 

Their  anathemas  on  the  enemy  hurl'd, 
With  her  armies  swept  o^er  them. 

This  great  commonwealth  of  Rome, 

So  massive  in  its  structure, 
Its  institutes,  its  musty  tomes 

Will  adorn  the  ages  ever. 

This  power  that  ruled  the  nations 

Arose  fram  a  rude  beginning, 
It  unfolded  a  mental  cerebration, 

Subsequent  time  not  excelling. 

Rome,  no  longer  on  her  seven  hills. 
Does  sovereign  o'er  the  nations  reign, 

She  no  more  hurls  her  legions. 
Her  power  departed,  not  her  fame. 


40  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

As  time  did  onward  bound, 

We  trace  advancing  civilization, 

Until  modern  man  is  found, 

■ 

Harnessing  the  lightning. 

The  elements  his  behests  subserve, 
Become  his  servants  on  ocean,  land, 

They  from  duty  ne'er  do  swerve, 
Ever  obedient  to  command. 

His  orders  they  faithful  keep, 
Traveling  to  places  distant, 

O'er  the  globe  they  sweep, 

Conveying  messages  in  an  instant. 

Annihilating  time  and  space. 

Remote  regions  are  brought  near. 

Vast  distances  effaced, 
On  this  revolving  sphere. 


ATOMIC  CREATION,  41 

Inhabitants  on  this  solar  orb, 

Resident  at  either  zone, 
Converse  in  speech  or  word, 

As  if  they  were  at  home. 

We  have  traced  man*s  upward  stride, 
From  where  rude  and  primitive  he  lay, 

To  where  the  lightning  he  guides, 
And  the  elements  him  obey. 

How  came  he  lord  on  this  earth  ? 

At  the  head  of  organic  nature, 
When  so  tiny  at  his  birth. 

To  rise  o'er  it  imperator. 

Environing  forces  man  did  impel. 

Amid  ages  of  contending  strife, 
Imperial  on  earth  to  dwell. 

O'er  all  forms  of  organic  life. 


4S  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

This  mental  power  in  man, 

Was  by  countless  ancestors  transmitted, 
It  through  myriad  numbers  ran, 

Amid  cycles  vast  integrated. 

*Tis  the  segregated  force  of  ages, 
Of  progenitors  countless  in  number. 

Before  there  were  historic  pages, 
In  unknown  graves  they  slumber. 

Man's  massive  cerebration, 
Gave  to  him  his  mental  force, 

By  which  he  rose  to  his  present  station, 
At  the  head  of  the  organic  universe. 

None  can  penetrate  or  scan. 
This  mental  unfolding  of  the  race, 

The  time  through  which  it  ran, 
No  one  can  compute  its  space. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  43 

There  are  races  who  in  the  mental  scale 
Are  so  feeble  in  their  grasp  and  girth, 

That  cycles  of  time  would  scarce  avail 
Them  to  rise  to  highest  types  on  earth. 

Will  man  still  higher  powers  attain  ? 

Advance  in  the  mental  scale, 
His  future  place  on  earth's  domain, 

Coming  time  will  alone  unveil. 

The  future  man  we  cannot  know. 

What  earth  has  for  him  in  store, 
Whether  he  will  higher  go, 

Or  disappear,  be  seen  no  more. 

Worlds  may  in  time  grow  old. 

Lose  their  embryotic  force, 
They  no  more  will  life  unfold, 

Amid  the  solar  universe. 


44  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

They  into  central  fires  may  fall, 
Their  atoms  whirl'd  in  space, 

New  orbs  from  them  unfurl, 
And  other  beings  evolve  apace. 

It  may  be  the  primal  law  of  worlds. 
That  from  atoms  were  segregated, 

That  they  to  central  fires  sKould  whirl. 
To  nebula  again  be  relegated. 

Integration  and  disintegration 
Are  elemental  forces  in  matter, 

Are  the  conservators  of  creation, 
Preserving  its  temple  ever. 

Thus  worlds  unfold,  dissolve. 
As  the  cycles  onward  course, 

New  orbs  from  the  old  evolve. 
Amid  an  unfolding  universe. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  45 

In  the  far  nebula  we  behold 

Myriad  orbs  that  glitter, 
And  nuclei  that  worlds  unfold, 

And  life  in  the  ages  after. 

In  yon  constellation,  Orion, 
As  we  with  aided  vision  penetrate, 

Orbs  appear,  numbering  millions. 
And  worlds  in  embryotic  state. 

'Mid  the  streaming  ''  milky  way," 

As  we  its  depths  pursue. 
Countless  spheres  their  light  display, 

By  telescope  brought  to  view. 

How  far  soe'er  with  it  we  sweep,  i 
•    Myriad  orbs  before  us  rise, 
Radiant,  in  form  replete. 
Dazzling  to  mortal  eyes. 


46  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

So  worlds  unfold,  evolve, 
Amid  this  vast  dome  of  nature, 

We  the  distant  nebula  resolve, 

Suns  are  revealed  in  countless  number. 

As  we  view  yon  stellar  dome, 

Its  myriad  flaming  spheres, 
Some  have  left  their  starry  home, 

Within  known  historic  years. 

Stars  that  once  did  glow. 
No  more  this  orb  they  light. 

Are  not  seen  on  earth  below, 
They  are  lost  to  solar  sight. 

On  us  they  no  longer  beam, 
Have  fled  into  depths  of  space, 

Their  light  is  gone,  unseen. 
We  it  no  more  can  trace. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  47 

They  so  far  away  have  flown, 

On  their  siderial  round, 
For  million  years  will  roam, 

Ere  they  circle  their  astral  round. 

Some  have  left,  others  unfold  to  view, 
Earth  has  just  received  their  light— 

What  depths  of  space  did  they  pursue, 
How  vast  their  orbital  flight. 

Yon  orbs  that  glow  with  fire, 

That  other  worlds  do  warm  and  light, 

And  them  for  life  in  time  prepare. 
As  they  perform  their  orbital  flight. 

No  life  on  them  could  dwell. 

While  they  are  orbs  of  flame 
No  one  the  time  can  tell, 

When  life  on  them  will  reign. 


48  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

But  the  spheres  that  round  them  whirl, 
That  they  do  light  and  warm, 

They  life  will  evolve  in  turn, 
As  they  their  rounds  perform. 

Worlds  will  evolve  life  sooner,  later, 
As  they  course  their  annual  round, 

Amid  the  dome  of  nature. 
Life  will  on  them  be  found. 

Countless  orbs  there  are  in  space. 
That  for  life  are  being  fitted, 

Others  in  their  orbital  race. 

With  the  elements  of  life  have  parted. 

On  some  glowing  fires  still  burn, 

Others  have  lost  their  heat,  grown  cold. 

In  solitude  their  circuits  run. 
They  life  will  no  more  unfold. 


ATOMIC   CREATION.  49 

Stellar  suns  may  cease  to  glow, 

Part  with  their  radiant  fires, 
No  longer  warm  the  orbs  below, 

Then  life  on  them  expires. 

Planets  may  grow  old,  decrepit, 

Lose  their  elements,  air,  water, 
For  life  be  no  longer  adapted, 

Lifeless  will  roam  hereafter. 

The  moon,  a  barren  orb,  doth  course, 

Silent,  it  whirls  around  ; 
Water,  air,  life's  only  source. 

No  longer  on  her  are  found. 

Sol,  his  fires  may  lose,  may  wane 

Amid  the  cycles  that  roll, 
When  life  will  cease  on  earth's  domain, 

Become  a  waste  from  pole  to  pole. 


50  ATOMIC  CREATION. 

But  the  stream  of  life  will  ever  flow, 
Amid  the  myriad  worlds  that  course, 

Around,  above,  below. 

Amid  the  boundless  universe. 

Nature,  that  to  life  gave  birth. 
That  evolved  from  atomic  matter, 

Must  return  to  its  mother  earth, 
To  the  bosom  of  its  alma  mater. 

The  womb  of  life  to  replenish, 

Nature's  offspring  to  her  must  return, 

That  the  race  may  not  perish, 

That  the  stream  of  life  may  go  on. 

Our  magna  mater  we  greet. 
For  her  children  she  doth  care, 

At  her  table  provides  a  seat, 
Loaded  with  viands  rare. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  61 

This  great  mother  we  hail, 

Her  distributions  are  large, 
Her  bounties  ne'er  fail, 

Howe'er  extensive  her  charge. 

While  partaking  of  her  store. 

Should  remember  the  giver, 
To  the  bonntiful  bestower. 

Tribute  should  render. 

When  our  feast  of  life  is  o'er, 

And  we  silent  return  to  nature's  bosom. 
Of  her  larder  will  partake  no  more, 

But  bask  in  her  font  lethean. 

Nature  hath  love  for  her  own, 

She  will  desert  her  offspring  never, 

She  has  built  for  them  a  home. 
Will  guard  it  sacred  ever. 


52  ATOMIC   CREATION. 

She  has  erected  her  temple, 

Filling  boundless  space, 
Has  made  provision  ample 

In  it  for  all  the  race. 

Its  massive  corridors  resound 

With  the  myriad  that  in  them  tread, 

Through  them  roam,  and  lo,  are  found 
Among  the  sleeping  dead. 

Other  guests  this  temple  enter, 

Its  broad  aisles  do  echo 
With  the  footsteps  of  the  untold  number 

That  in  them  come  and  go. 

No  habitat  of  this  dome  can  tell 
The  number  that  beneath  do  rest, 

That  in  it  once  did  dwell, 

Entomb'd  they  lie  on  mountain  crest. 


ATOMIC  CREATION.  53 

This  muasoleum  of  all  the  dead, 

Is  the  repose  of  organic  strife, 
None  from  it  have  fled, 

None  have  risen  to  life. 

Its  denizens  oblivious  lie, 

They  hear  not  heaven's  thunder, 
Ne^er  feel  a  pang  of  grief,  or  sigh. 

In  it  will  ever  slumber. 

Nature  is  life's  womb  and  tomb, 

She  to  all  being  gave  birth. 
That  dwell  or  rest  beneath  this  dome, 

Since  first  it  sprang  from  earth. 

The  architect  of  this  dome  of  nature, 

The  countless  worlds  in  space, 
Life  that  will  continue  ever. 

To  nature's  God  we  trace. 


54  ATOMIC  CREATION. 


This  temple  adorned  with  imperial  man, 


Imbued  with  mental  force  sublime, 
tiat  was  garni^-'d  as  the  cycles  ran, 
'Mid  abyssmal  depths  of  time. 


In  this  boundless  temple  of  creation, 

Man  has  but  a  brief  tenure, 
Marks  not  a  line  in  time's  mensuration. 

An  unknown  factor  in  earth's  population. 

A  waif  on  life's  ocean  toss'd, 
On  its  bosom  drifts,  goes  under, 

Amid  its  depths  he  is  lost. 
Is  seen  no  more  forever. 

An  atom  in  a  shoreless  universe, 

As  he  sinks  beneath  the  tide, 
May  leave  a  ripple  in  its  course, 

That  down  the  centuries  «*^iglide. 


NIA  GARA. 


The  majestic  waters  of  Niagara 

In  their  deep  refrain, 
Descending  do  not  tarry, 

But  hie  to  the  main. 

Its  echoes  none  did  hear, 
As  they  were  upwad  hurl'd, 

They  fell  upon  a  silent  sphere, 
Upon  a  voiceless  world. 

Its  mighty  waters  in  their  fall, 
Wore  gorges  deep  and  tall, 
Their  path  there  were  none  to  trace, 
Or  mark  their  slow  but  tireless  pace. 


66  NIAGARA. 

Niagara  from  its  heights  did  bound, 
On  Ontario^s  shore  resound, 
Upward  moved  to  Erie's  crest. 
No  pause,  it  knew  no  rest. 

Its  titanic  waters  that  descend, 
In  artistic  beauty  blend. 
They  to  the  ocean  glide. 
To  mingle  with  its  flowing  tide. 

But  not  in  ocean  depths  to  stay. 
In  tiny  streamlets  wend  their  way. 
Again  from  rockey  heights  to  pour, 
But  farther  from  Ontario's  shore. 

It  vapors  in  clouds  arise. 
They  vail  the  azure  skies. 
Its  rainbow  visitors  delight. 
With  its  pendants  tall  and  bright. 


NIAGARA.  57 

The  pond'rous  waters  of  Niagara, 
Wore  chasms  deep  and  craggy, 
They  from  dizzy  heights  did  pour, 
But  nearer  to  Lake  Erie's  shore. 

Since  Niagara  began  her  roar, 
It  through  walls  of  granite  tore, 
Its  forces  none  could  stay, 
They  paused  not  night  nor  day. 

Amid  ages  vast,  remote, 
Its  herculean  waters  smote, 
The  rocks  were  riven,  broken. 
Of  man  there  was  no  token. 

Onward  they  sped  their  course. 
Amid  a  silent  universe ; 
Man  came,  heard  their  echoes  deep. 
Them  could  not  lull  to  sleep. 


68  NIAGARA. 

Since  Niagara's  roar  began, 
None  the  time  can  scan, 
We  in  its  rocky  pages  find 
The  distance  left  behind. 

A  channel  deep  it  wore, 
For  seven  leagues  or  more, 
Onward  coursed  its  way, 
To  where  above  Lake  Erie  lay. 

The  boasted  works  of  man, 
Pigmies  before  Niagara  stand, 
Mute  we  behold  and  silent. 
Nature's  forces  eloquent, 

Niagara,  its  weird  refrain 

Has  echo'd  for  cycles  unknown, 

Its  power  symbols  the  people's  reign. 

The  tyrant's  rule  o'erthrown. 


NIAGARA. 

The  mighty  thunders  of  Niagara 
Emblem  the  forces  of  democracy, 
Before  which  thrones  do  fall, 
Monarchs  and  despots  all. 


THE    RED    MAN. 


In  western  climes  did  roam 
The  red  man  tall  and  brave. 

The  forest  was  his  home, 
His  requiem  the  wave. 

O'er  sylvan  stream  he  glided 
Swiftly,  with  his  canoe, 
Arrows  him  food  provided, 
"  Envy  nor  ambition  knew," 

He  raised  not  stately  domes, 
His  temple  the  blue  sky, 

Erected  no  altars,  thrones, 
Unsepultured  he  lies. 


THE  RED   MAN.  61 

He  waged  no  aggressive  war, 

His  hunting-grounds  defended 
Against  robbers  from  afar, 

Who  them  wantonly  invaded. 

The  red  man  of  the  forest 

The  continent  roamed  o'er, 
Tall  and  brave  has  sank  to  rest, 

Beyond  Niagara's  roar. 

Sons  of  those  sires  remain, 

Feeble  and  few  in  number, 
Driven  from  their  domain 

By  vandals  for  plunder. 

They  had  possess'd  for  ages, 

This  heritage  of  their  fathers. 
Not  recorded  in  titled  pages. 

But  unjustly  seized  by  robbers. 


62  THE  RED   MAN. 

The  gods  who  rule  above 

Will  vindicate  the  right, 
Nations  chastise,  reprove, 

Who  for  spoils  war  and  fight. 

For  those  forest  braves  we  sigh. 
They  worship'd  not  in  altars, 

But  under  the  azure  sky- 
Sang  their  orisons  and  psalters. 

They  have  gone  to  their  island  home. 

To  return  again,  no,  never, 
Their  hunting  grounds  no  more  will  roam, 

Freed  from  their  despoilers  ever. 


NOT  A     WASHINGTON. 


'Mid  time's  weird  epochs, 
There  were  monarchs  and  despots, 
Heroes,  orators,  statesmen, 
There  was  no  Washington. 

Empires  had  risen,  fallen, 
Old  time  swept  o'er  them» 
Entomb'd  lie  her  great  sons. 
Among  them  no  Washington. 

There  were  philosophers,  sages, 
Who  adorn'd  the  ages. 
Men  of  wisdom,  penetration, 
But  there  came  no  Washington. 


64  NOT  A   WASHINGTON. 

Egypt,  with  her  obelisks,  domes, 
Her  pyramids  and  catacombs, 
Kings  repose  in  her  mausoleums, 
And  princes,  but  no  Washingtons. 

Troy,  that  fell  before  her  Grecian  foes. 
Whose  walls  at  Apollo's  lyre  rose, 
Had  Hector,  and  other  valiant  sons, 
But  they  were  not  Washingtons. 

Balbeck,  of  prehistoric  fame, 
Her  granite  walls  still  remain, 
They  reveal  an  ancient  civilization, 
But  unfolded  no  Washington. 

Carthage,  on  Afric's  far  shore. 
Founded  by  Dido,  now  no  more, 
Had  Hannibal,  an  illustrious  son, 
Famous  in  war,  not  a  Washington. 


NOT  A   WASHINGTON.  65 

Ancient  Tyre,  Corinth,  Sidon, 
Cities  of  commercial  renown, 
Had  Hiram,  other  eminent  sons, 
But  they  were  not  Washingtons. 

Thebes,  with  her  massive  grandeur, 
Her  columns  we  behold  with  wonder, 
On  them  are  inscribed  her  noble  sons, 
They  record  no  Washingtons. 

Syracuse,  with  her  towers  tall, 
*Mid  the  punic  wars  did  fall. 
Had  Archimedes,  a  famous  son, 
A  mechanician,  not  a  Washington. 

Palmyra,  that  armies  swept  o'er, 
Had  Zenobia,  in  days  of  yore. 
With  Longinus,  a  favorite  son, 
A  savan,  not  a  Washington. 


66  NOT  A  WASHINGTON. 

Athens,  with  her  temples  stately, 
Of  Theseus,  Diana,  Minerva, 
Had  Solon,  Pericles,  worthy  sons. 
They  were  not  Washingtons. 

Rome,  who  ruled  the  world, 
O'er  all  climes  her  legions  hurl'd, 
Had  her  Scipios,  Caesars,  brave  sons, 
But  they  were  not  Washingtons. 

Mexico,  with  her  effete  millions, 
Fell  before  Cortez'  legions. 
Had  her  Montezumas,  Gautemozon, 
Patriot  sons,  but  not  Washingtons. 


V 


Europe,  that  for  centuries  had  slumber'd, 
Awoke,  produced  heroes  unnumber'd. 
Had  her  Nelsons,  Wellingtons,  Napoleons, 
Valiant  sons,  but  not  Washingtons. 


NOT  A  WASHINGTON.  67 

America,  that  for  ages  untold, 
Was  unknown  to  the  rest  of  the  world, 
Had  an  ancient,  unique  civilization, 
But  as  yet  there  came  no  Washington. 

At  length  Columbus,  a  son  of  Genoa, 
Arose,  gave  birth  to  fair  Columbia, 
She  in  time  brought  forth  an  unrivaPd  son, 
The  incomparable  Washington. 

He  immortal  will  live  in  fame, 

The  ages  will  revere  his  name, 

'Mid  the  world's  great  and  illustrious  sons, 

There  was  but  one,  one  only,  Washington. 


A   REPUBLIC. 


Centuries  had  roll'd  by, 

Empires  arose  unnumber'd, 

People  for  republic  did  sigh, 
While  in  chains  they  slumber'd. 

They  had  waited  for  it  long. 

While  in  fetters  they  were  bound, 

At  last  resolv'd  to  right  the  wrong, 
A  republic  to  found. 

Twas  on  Columbia's  shore, 
That  freedom  first  awoke, 

*Twas  heard  in  the  cannon^s  roar. 
When  the  tyrant!  they  smote. 


A  REPUBLIC.  69 

The  roll-call  sounded  at  Bunker  Hill, 

The  patrioti  did  rejoice, 
The  colonial  heart  did  thrill, 

^Twas  freedom's  stern  voice. 

Twas  not  for  fame,  renown, 

They  met  the  enemy  on  battle  field. 

Until  Britain's  flag  went  down. 
To  patriot  arms  did  yield. 

The  colonial  heart  did  glow. 

When  victory  they  had  won, 
From  a  haughty,  tyrant  foe, 

By  the  immortal  Washington. 

This  freedom  our  sires  won, 

'Twas  wrested  from  Britain's  grasp, 

Here  a  republic  broad  was  laid. 
That  shall  for  kges  last. 


THE    FLAG 


On  Columbia's  far  shore, 
A  banner  was  waving, 

Where  cannons  did  roar, 
Aloft  it  was  streaming. 

For  liberty  it  wav'd, 

For  it  heroes  contending. 
Amid  conflict  it  gleam'd, 

O'er  the  dead,  the  dying. 

Riven,  tatterM  and  torn, 

O^er  battle  fields  streaming. 
Onward  ^twas  borne, 

Brave  sons  it  defending. 


THE   FLAG.  71 

Borne  upward  and  onward, 
'Till  the  foe  vanquishM,  yielding, 

Washington  had  conquer'd, 
The  enemy  surrend'ring. 

Patriots  beheld  with  delight 

Their  flag  proudly  waving, 
O'er  the  victory  for  right. 

While  Brittons  lay  trailing. 

Our  sires  their  freedom  won, 
From  the  tyrant  foe  wresting, 

Gave  to  America  its  boon, 
A  republic  creating. 

This  emblem  of  freedom, 

O'er  a  nation  waving, 
Upheld  by  brave  freemen. 

In  battle  never  trailing. 


72  THE  FLAG. 

This  bright  starry  banner, 

A  union  of  States  symbolizing, 

To  all  despots  a  terror, 
The  world,  in  arms,  defying. 

JEgis  of  a  sovereign  people, 
To  it  nations  are  flocking. 

No  foe  on  it  dare  trample, 
No  aggressor  escaping. 

Flag  of  the  brave,  the  free, 
Its  citizens  protecting. 

Wherever  it  waves,  on  land  or  sea, 
'Tis  beheld  with  rejoicing. 

This  flag  our  fathers  won, 
'Mid  conflict  long  and  trying, 

Bequeath'd  from  sire  to  son. 
It  never  surrendering. 


THE  FLAG.  73 

May  it  wave  unblemish'd, 

Its  stars  brightly  beaming, 
With  its  lustre  undiminish'd, 

Their  numbers  increasing. 

This  flag  of  the  brave  and  the  free, 
Sons  of  our  sires  ne'er  dishonoring. 

O'er  the  world  may  it  wave, 

Liberty  and  justice  maintaining. 


NAPOLEON, 


Like  a  flaming  meteor  rose, 
Deck'd  in  war's  grim  visage, 

Hurling  destruction  on  his  foes. 
Has  ended  his  entourage. 

With  lightning  force  he  smote 

The  nations  around  him, 
However  distant,  remote, 

His  legions  swept  o'er  them. 

The  towering  Alps  he  bestrode, 
Like  Hannibal,  the  Carthagenian, 

0*er  Italy's  plains  he  rode, 
Scattering  the  foe  before  him. 


NAPOLEON.  75 

This  intrepid  warrior  bold 

To  Egyp.t  extended  his  sway, 
Under  the  mighty  pyramids  of  old 

The  fierce  Mamelukes  did  slay. 

He  overthrew  mighty  kingdoms, 

The  world  beheld  with  wonder, 
This  hero  with  his  legions. 

Subduing  armies  without  number. 

The  forces  of  Prussia  and  Russia 

Combined  to  o'erthrow  him. 
At  Friedland  and  Auderstadt,  Jena, 

With  his  legions  he  smote  them. 

Emperors  united  their  forces, 
At  Austerlitz  resolved  to  crush  him, 

With  his  marshalls  and  legions, 

Like  an  avalanche  swept  o'er  them. 


76  NAPOLEON. 

With  his  forces  hitherto  invincible, 
He  march'd  to  Russia's  frigid  zone. 

The  Czar  Alexander  to  humble, 
And  hurl  from  his  throne. 

At  Smolensk  and  Borodino  he  conquer'd. 
Drove  Kutozoff  and  his  Cossacks  before  hira;. 

Arctic  waters  his  legions  environ^. 
Spread  destruction  around  him. 

This  meteor  thunderbolt  of  war, 

That  shot  athwart  the  horizon, 
Saw  in  his  ill-fated  star 

His  invincibility  departing. 

At  Waterloo  he  essayed  to  regain 
The  throne  whence  he  was  driven, 

Imperial  once  more  to  reign, 

The  supposM  favorite  of  heaven. 


NAPOLEON.  77 

The  morn  of  Waterloo's  eventful  day, 

Napoleon  for  the  battle  eager, 
*Tis  the  sun  of  Austerlitz,  did  say, 

He  before  night  was  a  prisoner. 

The  conflict  raged  'mid  fire  and  flame, 
Napoleon  exclaimed,  "  the  battle's  won,'' 

Blucher  to  Wellington's  rescue  came, 
'Twas  lost.  Napoleon  was  undone. 

This  mighty  incarnation  of  war, 

His  path  strew  with  desolation, 
O'erran  states  and  empires  afar, 

Has  fulfilled  his  mission. 

He  has  fought  his  last  battle. 

He  with  his  legions  together  slumber. 

The  cannon's  roar,  the  bayonet's  rattle 
Will  arouse  the  warrior  never. 


78  NAPOLEON. 

Napoleon  dead  still  lives, 

His  fame  will  descend  the  ages, 

His  name,  imperishable,  will  survive, 
'Mid  time's  indestructible  pages. 


THE   RIGHTS    OF  LABOR, 


As  on  toiling  couch  I  lay, 
Scanning  the  heavens  o'er, 

To  myself  did  silent  say, 

What  hath  life  for  me  in  store. 

I  view'd  the  glowing  orbs  above, 
Beaming  with  beauty  bright, 

Symbols  of  power  and  love, 
That  orders  all  things  right. 

Those  shining  orbs  proclaim 
A  potent  force  that  guides, 

That  supreme  doth  reign — 
Whence  those  tears  and  sighs. 


80  THE   RIGHTS  OF   LABOR. 

Nature  has  adorn'd  her  temple, 
Her  gifts  did  equitably  bestow, 

Made  provision  for  all  ample, 
Why  starving  multitudes  below. 

Her  children  to  her  arc  equal, 
She  endow'd  none  with  privilege, 

While  man  on  his  neighbor  tramples, 
Despoils  him  of  his  heritage. 

Our  bounteous  alma  mater 
For  her  offspring  did  provide, 

While  man  robs  man  of  his  labor, 
Listen  to  the  rumbling  tide. 

Justice  hath  long  slumber'd, 
While  the  oppressor  rioted  in  spoil. 

His  days  of  pelf  are  number'd 
On  freedom's  sacred  soil. 


THE  RIGHTS  OF  LABOR.  81 

The  people  who  sovereign  reign, 

Will  vindicate  the  right, 
Those  depriv'd  of  their  rightful  gain 

Are  marching  in  force  and  might. 

Their  footsteps  loud  we  hear, 

A  resistless  spartan  band, 
Their  oppressors  well  may  fear, 

When  the  oppress'd  their  rights  demand. 

Your  spoils  must  surrender. 

The  people  have  so  decreed, 
They  a  verdict  just  will  render. 

Which  the  oppressors  well  may  heed. 


BE    CHEERFUL 


As  we  journey  through  life, 
Ne'er  despond  on  the  way, 

Bravely  meet  its  ills  and  strife, 
There  will  dawn  a  brighter  day. 

Be  cheerful  and  happy. 
Not  repine  under  sorrow. 

Be  content,  if  not  merry, 

Hope  for  a  better  to-morrow. 

Keep  your  eye  on  the  goal, 
If  misfortunes  overtake  you. 

Know  no  such  word  as  fail, 
Again  trj^  the  gods  will  help  you. 


BE  CHEERFUL.  83 

They  will  assist  those 

Who  put  their  shoulder  to  the  wheel, 
Not  lie  in  inert  repose, 

But  try  with  cheerful  zeal. 

The  gods  bestow  their  favor, 

To  the  deserving  give, 
Will  reward  honest  labor, 

The  worthy  their  aid  receive. 

Then  toil  with  cheer,  be  merry, 

'Twill  bring  its  own  reward. 
Those  in  the  end  are  truly  happy 

Whom  with  favor  the  gods  regard. 


ART  VERSUS  NATURE. 


Who  can  paint  the  flowers  ? 

Their  blendings  so  exquisite, 
Birds  of  plumage  *mid  the  bowers, 

Art  can  but  imitate. 

The  rose,  so  radiant,  so  ruddy, 
Its  hues  to  transfer  to  canvas, 

With  its  inimitable  beauty, 
It  all  art  doth  surpass. 

Art  with  nature  cannot  vie. 
She  hath  wrought  so  lovely 

Her  tints  that  adorn  the  sky. 
What  artist  can  them  copy? 


ART  VERSUS   NATURE.  85 

To  paint  Sol's  azure  light, 

That  gilds  the  mountain, 
Her  golden  rays  so  bright, 

Or  the  sparkling  fountain. 

The  whirling  cyclone,  the  storm, 
O'er  land  and  ocean  sweeping, 

The  meteor  that  flaming  falls  down, 
The  thunderbolt,  the  lightning. 

The  colors  of  the  rainbow. 

The  diamond  and  sapphire  glowing, 
To  these  art  must  reverent  bow. 

They  all  art  transcending. 

The  ocean^s  crested  wave, 
The  streamlet's  gentle  gliding, 

Glaziers,  that  seas  do  lave. 
That  tall  ships  are  stranding. 


86  ART  VERSUS  NATURE. 

Cascades  from  high  that  fall, 
The  dewdron^  of  the  morning, 

Phcebus,  that  shines  for  all. 
To  paint  these  all  art  defying. 

Will  art  the  beauties  of  nature  attain, 

As  art  is  advancing  ? 
Unfold  a  limner,  a  fame. 

All  former  artists  surpassing. 

Nature  o'er  art,  her  superior. 

He  who  for  perfection  in  art  is  striving, 
Must  study  the  great  master,  nature, 

If  he  would  her  be  rivaling. 


ODE  TO  THE  SUN, 


Thou  radiant  orb  of  day, 
Whose  fires  ceaseless  glow, 

That  ponderous  spheres  doth  sway, 
Around,  above,  below. 

Dost  thou  sovereign  o'er  them  reign, 
Thy  fires  light  and  warm  them  all, 

Within  thy  solar  domain, 
Planets  great  and  small  ? 

Those  mighty  forces,  are  they  thine  ? 

Kindling  fires  that  ceaseless  burn, 
That  on  revolving  spheres  do  shine. 

That  around  thee  whirl  in  turn. 


88  ODE  TO   THE   SUN 

Is  this  wond'rous  power  thine  own, 
That  keeps  the  orbs  in  course, 

That  marks  the  time  that  they  perform 
Their  circuits  'mid  the  universe. 

If  not  thy  own,  whence  the  power 
That  myriad  spheres  do  guide. 

That  marks  the  time,  the  hour 
That  they  around  vast  centres  gHde  ? 

'Tis  a  force,  a  power  unseen, 

Resides  potential  in  matter, 
In  nature  it  reigns  supreme. 

No  power  higher,  greater. 

This  primordial  force  in  nature, 

Evolv'd  worlds,  made  their  fires  to  glow, 

Unfolds  the  orbs  that  move  in  order, 
'Mid  the  universe  above,  below. 


ODE  TO  THE  SUN. 


This  power  all  worlds  doth  sway, 
It  moulded  suns,  lit  their  fires, 

Gave  us  the  radiant  orb  of  day, 
To  thee  we  offer  paeans,  prayers. 


THE     WINDS, 


The  winds  in  their  nestling  home, 
Quiet  when  in  slumber, 

Arous'd  with  fury  roam. 
Become  a  rattling  thunder. 

With  titanic  power  they  sweep. 
Tall  forests  lie  prostrate,  riven. 

Navies  are  stranded  in  the  deep, 
By  the  fierce  storms  of  heaven. 

They  sweep  o'er  sea  and  land. 
Destruction  marks  their  course. 

Naught  can  them  withstand, 
Herculean  is  their  force. 


THE  WINDS.  91 

The  paths  of  commerce  do  bestride, 
Carry  destruction  in  their  path, 

As  they  onward  glide, 
In  their  cyclonean  wrath. 

When  in  repose  so  gentle, 

By  zephyrs  onward  borne, 
Arous'd  how  terrible, 

Riding  the  crested  storm. 

Those  azure  winds  of  heaven. 

Who  doth  them  control? 
By  what  forces  are  they  driven, 

From  near  to  farther  pole. 

Boreas,  from  his  northern  home,  I 

To  southern  realms  doth  fly, 
Auster,  from  his  southern  dome. 

Northerly  doth  hie. 


THE  WINDS. 

Euras,  from  the  east  courses  his  way, 
To  western  climes  he  wends, 

Zephyrs  in  his  gentle  sway, 
A  soft'ning  influence  lends. 


In  the  caves  of  Eolus  are  held 
The  winds  when  in  repose. 

He  doth  them  loose  and  wield, 
Sparing  neithej  friends  nor  foes. 

In  his  imperial  chambers  are  bound 
Those  mighty  forces  of  nature 

That  circle  the  globe  around, 
He  guiding  their  path  ever. 


THE  ELOQUENCE  OF  SILENCE, 


The  falling  tear,  the  speaking  eye, 
The  throbbing  heart,  the  heaving  sigh, 
Those  silent  utterances  we  hear, 
Excels  all  form  of  speech  whatever. 

As  kindred  hearts  together  meet, 
Silently  they  each  do  greet, 
They  feel  an  innate  thrill. 
That  words  cannot  reveal. 

The  earnest,  silent  prayer 
In  closet,  where'er  we  are, 
More  eloquent  than  spoken  art, 
It  melts,  it  sinks  into  the  heart. 


94  THE  ELOQUENCE  OF  SILENCE. 

A  silent  monitor  within, 
Voiceless  and  unseen, 
Reclaims  the  wayward  youth 
From  vice  to  virtue,  truth. 

No  eloquence  of  speech  or  word, 
Such  reclaiming  powers  afford. 
An  innate  moving  force. 
An  imperial,  silent  voice. 

Amid  the  solitudes  of  night, 
Ere  Knox  had  winged  her  flight, 
As  on  silent  couch  man  lay, 
Plans  matur'd  that  empires  sway. 

He  who  the  sceptre  wields, 
In  state  or  tented  field, 
*Twas  not  by  speech  he  gain'd 
His  powers,  or  reigned. 


THE  ELOQUENCE  OF  SILENCE. 

The  man  of  brains  who  plann'd, 
All  factors  weighed  and  scann'd, 
'Tis  silent  thought  that  rules, 
Not  the  eloquence  of  schools. 

The  sun  with  its  radiant  light, 
With  its  swift  winged  flight. 
The  stellar  orbs  that  glow, 
Beam  silent  on  earth  below. 

The  depths  of  old  ocean 
Feel  not  tidal  commotion. 
Remain  calm  'mid  the  storm, 
O^er  its  surface  waters  borne. 

Rivers  to  the  ocean  noiseless  glide, 
To  mingle  with  its  flowing  tide, 
Return  in  silent  showers  of  rain, 
The  fields  to  clothe  with  waving  grain. 


96  THE  ELOQUENCE  OF  SILENCE. 

The  planets  voiceless  roll, 
Around  their  orbital  pole, 
Their  silent  forces  are 'not  heard, 
More  eloquent  than  speech  or  word. 

The  power  that  whirls  the  mighty  spheres, 
For  countless,  unknown  years, 
Is  noiseless  and  silent. 
Voiceless,  but  eloquent. 

The  potent  forces  in  nature 
Have  been  working  silent  ever. 
The  rythm  of  the  myriad  spheres 
Are  music  to  list'ning  ears. 

The  snowflakes  that  descend 
In  artistic  beauty  blend. 
The  rain  drop,  the  pearly  dew, 
Silent,  arid  earth  renew. 


THE  ELOQUENCE  OF  SILENCE.  97 

The  loves  of  organic  nature, 
Silent  woo,  speak  never, 
They  voiceless  mate  and  wed, 
Noiseless  approach  the  nuptial  bed. 

The  eloquence  of  silence  is  gold, 
Its  power  is  unsung,  untold. 
The  man  of  silent  thought  and  brain, 
He  sovereign  will  rule  and  reign. 


TIME,  AND  THE  LOST  ARTS, 


Time,  in  its  ceaseless  bound, 

On  its  fleet  coursers, 
Circles  its  round, 

Naught  can  stay  his  forces. 

The  years  pass,  are  gone, 
In  the  ocean  of  time  fall. 

Others  swiftly  come. 
Its  depths  garners  all. 

'Mid  time's  vast  flight, 
The  arts  were  unfolded. 

They  became  lost  to  sight. 
With  the  artist  who  moulded. 


TIME,   AND   THE  LOST  ARTS.  99 

The  lost  arts  of  old 

Will  again  appear, 
Coming  man  will  them  behold. 

Their  graces  admire. 

Works  long  since  buried. 

That  time  swept  away, 
Their  excellencies  will  be  studied, 

When  they  see  the  light  of  day. 

Art,  that  went  under, 

Some  savan  will  reveal, 
The  future  artist  will  wonder 

At  their  artistic  skill. 

Those  works  that  buried  lie. 

Coming  time  will  restore, 
When  they  meet  the  artist's  eye, 

Their  beauty  will  adore. 


100  TIME,  AND  THE  LOST  ARTS. 

Arts  of  the  prehistoric  past, 
That  have  been  hidden  so  long, 

Their  time  and  age  lost, 

To  the  surface  will  be  borne. 

So  modern  art  in  its  bound, 
To  time  must  surrender, 

In  future  ages  may  be  found 
The  artist  who  wrought  never. 

Time  and  art  march  together, 

As  the  years  roll  apace. 
Time  art  will  sweep  under. 

With  its  matchless  grace. 

Lost  art  future  villas  will  adorn, 
Her  statues  on  public  plazas  stand, 

Modern  of  its  beauty  will  be  shorn, 
By  the  works  of  an  unknown  hand. 


ODE  TO  THE  OCEAN, 


Ocean,  thy  weird  refrain, 

Long  echo'd  o'er  a  silent  world, 

No  life  in  thy  depths  there  came. 
Cyclones  o'er  thee  whirl'd. 

Thy  waters  lav'd  the  mountain  side, 

They  mark  thy  tidal  stages, 
Ere  man  did  o'er  thy  bosom  glide, 

Or  scanned  thy  rocky  pages. 

Thy  waves  for  ages  swept 
Amid  the  solitudes  of  night, 

'Mid  abyssmal  depths  they  slept, 

None  to  behold  their  towering  height, 


102  ODE  TO  THE   OCEAN. 

Countless  years  pass'd  away 
Since  their  refrains  began, 

There  was  no  dawn,  no  day. 
When  thy  tidal  waves  first  ran. 

None  can  compute  the  years 

That  o'er  thy  bosom  have  cours'd  ; 

No  philosopher,  savan,  seer, 

'Mid  depths  of  time  they  are  lost. 

Thy  waves  no  more  silent  fall 
Upon  yon  mountain  side, 

Ships  sweep  o'er  thy  bosom  tall. 
The  wealth  of  nations  on  thee  glide. 

Couldst  thou  thy  treasures  reveal, 
That  beneath  thee  lie  buried, 

What  wealth  they  would  unseal, 
That  thy  waves  have  garner'd. 


ODE  TO   THE   OCEAN.  103 

In  thy  depths  what  teeming  life, 
That  in  them  sport  and  roam, 

Myriads  have  perish'd  in  the  strife, 
Have  built  our  marble  homes. 

As  we  o'er  thy  bosom  glide, 

Below  lie  pil'd  the  myriad  dead, 

That  in  the  ages  past  have  died. 

The  coming  man  will  o'er  them  tread. 

They  for  cycles  long  have  lain. 
Have  mass'd  to  mountains  deep, 

When  they  tower  above  the  main, 
Thy  waters  will  not  o'er  them  sweep. 

Will  thy  refrains  continue  ever. 

As  the  cycles  sweep  along  ? 
Thy  tidal  waves  mount  higher. 

And  echo  louder  thy  weird  song. 


THE  MOUNTAIN  LAKE, 


Beneath  yon  mountain  crest, 
A  sylvan  lake  lay  embower'd, 

In  the  forest  depths  did  rest, 
Tall  trees  its  bosom  mirror'd. 

Storms  above  it  swept, 

Fowls  on  its  waters  did  glide, 

In  quietude  it  slept, 

Below  the  mountain  side. 

Birds  carol'd  *mid  the  bowers, 

But  their  notes  silent  fell. 
There  were  none  to  gather  the  flowers, 

That  grew  in  the  lonely  dell. 


THE   MOUNTAIN   LAKE.  105 

In  its  sequestered  home 

This  lake  had  for  ages  slumberM, 

O'er  it  man  did  not  roam, 
But  fish  sported  unnumber'd. 

This  repose  was  at  last  broken, 

Its  habitats  footsteps  did  hear, 
An  arrow  sped,  to  them  a  token 

That  some  enemy  was  near. 

Those  waters  in  their  calm  quiet, 

On  them  no  voice  or  sound  was  heard, 

Until  the  red  man  did  them  visit, 
Nought  but  the  forest  bird. 

This  sylvan  lake  mirror*d  o'er. 

That  had  lain  in  repose  so  long. 
The  fowl  or  red  man  are  seen  no  more, 

Its  shores  echo  the  woodman's  song. 


THE  COTTAGE  NEAR  THE  SEA. 


I  built  a  cottage  for  my  fair, 
Down  near  the  deep,  blue  sea, 

For  my  lassie  with  golden  hair, 
I  met  under  the  willow  tree. 

She  beheld  the  crested  wave, 
From  her  cottage  near  the  shore, 

Some  mariner  deign'd  to  save, 
When  storms  did  fiercely  roar. 

The  music  of  the  waves  she  heard. 
As  they  swiftly  cours'd  along, 

The  notes  of  the  ocean  bird. 
That  echoed  o'er  the  storm. 


THE   COTTAGE   NEAR  THE   SEA.  107 

The  chimings  of  the  old  ocean, 

With  its  weird  refrain, 
To  her  symbol'd  a  devotion 

To  the  ruler  of  the  main. 

In  this  sea-girt  home, 

With  my  lassie  so  sweet, 
Ne'er  from  it  will  roam, 

While  my  darling  there  I  greet. 

My  lassie  with  the  golden  hair 

I  met  under  the  willow  tree. 
So  angelic  and  so  fair, 

We  ever  one  will  be. 

Pride  of  the  ocean,  the  valley, 

With  her  rich,  waving  tresses, 
A  form  so  petit  and  fair. 

It  all  others  surpasses. 


108  THE   COTTAGE   NEAR  THE   SEA. 

Guardian  angel  of  the  ocean, 
Gliding  o'er  the  crested  wave, 

'Mid  tempest,  what  devotion, 
Some  lost  mariner  to  save. 

In  our  cottage  near  the  sea, 
With  its  ever-flowing  tide. 

With  my  lassie,  with  thee 
Will  henceforth  reside. 

Should  ocean  sweep  our  cottage  o'er. 
We  would  be  borne  on  its  tide, 

To  yon  lethean  shore. 
There  to  rest  side  by  side. 


TO    LOUISA. 

My  darling  Louisa, 

Thee  I  adore, 
Let^s  hie  to  some  charming  villa 

On  the  sea-girt  shore. 

Our  bark  gently  wafted 

Amid  islets  fairy, 
Under  azure  sky  canopi'd, 

With  my  dearest  Louisa. 

Borne  by  zephyrs  o'er  the  tide, 
Inhaling  the  fragrant  air, 

As  'mid  the  flowers  we  glide, 
With  my  Louisa,  the  fair. 


110  TO   LOUISA. 

The  port  we  would  enter, 
As  onward  we  sail, 

In  it  ride  at  anchor, 
Secure  from  the  gale. 

In  this  sequester'd  villa, 
'Mid  its  roses  and  flowers. 

To  roam  with  my  Louisa, 
What  bliss  would  be  ours* 

In  this  paradise  of  beauty, 
In  this  sea-girt  isle. 

To  dwell  with  my  Louisa, 
To  bask  in  her  smile. 

In  this  Elysiam  so  fairy. 
Amid  the  deep  blue  sea. 

With  my  ador'd  Louisa, 
We  ever  one  would  be. 


ROSEVALE. 


On  the  banks  of  the  Hudson, 

'Mid  dell  and  dale, 
We  behold  a  quaint  mansion, 

'Tis  called  Rosevale. 

Tall  forest  o'er  it  waving. 
Whose  branches  arch'd  meet, 

Its  scenery  so  charming. 
Its  roses  so  sweet. 

Erected  before  the  Revolution, 
It  a  lone  monument  doth  tower, 

Of  the  merciless  iconoclasm 
That  by  it  did  pour. 


113  ROSEVALE. 

Near  this  ancient  home  repose 
Sires  and  sons  who  in  it  did  dwell, 

Whose  ancestors  met  our  tyrant  foes, 
They  rare  feats  of  arms  did  tell. 

Denizens  of  this  old  county  seat. 
Sitting  in  its  piaza,  or  green  moor, 

Received  news  of  Washington's  retreat, 
Heard  the  cannon's  fierce  roar. 

And  the  loud  peals  of  thunder. 

That  roU'd  o'er  the  wave, 
When  Washington  had  conquer'd, 

His  country  did  save. 

Let  this  grand  old  mansion 

That  witnessed  events  so  thrilling. 
Be  sav'd  from  destruction, 

ttvtc 

From  the  city's  ic^^clasm. 


LIBERTY.  113 

It  a  beacon  light  should  stand, 
To  point  the  youths  of  the  nation 

To  those  patriots  who  redeemed  our  land, 
A  bulwark  against  spoliation. 


-a^?)^^ 


LIBER  TY. 


Liberty,  we  hail,  we  greet, 
For  thee  myriads  have  sigh'd, 

To  enjoy  this  heritage,  sweet, 
Patriots  have  bled  and  died. 

Nations  had  prostrate  lain, 
In  fetters  firmly  bound. 

To  break  th^  t>^rant's  chain 
No  potent  arm  was  found. 


114  LIBERTY. 

A  valiant  chief  arose, 

An  illustrious  son, 
Who  wrest'd  freedom  from  his  foes, 

'Tvvas  the  immortal  Washington. 

For  liberty  our  fathers  fought, 
For  years  in  conflict  bled, 

They  gain'd  the  object  sought. 
We  revere  those  patriots  dead. 

The  people  sovereign  reign. 
The  tyrant's  rule  is  o'er, 

Freedom  was  won  ^mid  fire  and  flame 
Where  cannon  loud  did  roar. 

This  liberty  our  sires  gainM, 

With  noble  aid  from  foreign  lands, 

A  temple  broad  and  tall  was  rear'd. 
That  shall  for  ages  stand. 


LIBERTY.  115 

Let  liberty  and  law  resound, 

O'er  despotism  roll, 
Circle  the  globe  around, 

From  near  to  farther  pole. 

This  liberty  our  fathers  won, 

We  will  ne'er  surrender, 
Bequeathed  from  sire  to  son, 

Will  guard  it  sacred  ever. 

Liberty,  we  greet,  we  hail. 

In  its  path  are  found  no  thrones, 

O'er  the  world  it  will  prevail, 
It  knows  no  climes,  no  zones. 


AWAKE,  'TIS  MORN, 


Awake,  dearest,  'tis  morn. 
The  day  is  gently  breaking, 

Rise  with  the  early  dawn. 

The  birds  are  sweetly  singing. 

Nature  is  jubilant,  fairest, 

The  forest  is  smiling, 
Behold  yon  mountain  crest, 

That  Sol  is  gilding. 

Awake,  'tis  morning. 

Earth  is  deck'd  in  green. 

To  view  scenes  entrancing. 
You  must  rise  soon. 


AWAKE,   'tis   morn.  117 

The  flowers  are  so  ruddy, 

So  fragrant  their  perfume, 
To  enjoy  should  rise  early. 

Darling,  why  postpone  ? 

While  you  repose  in  slumber, 

The  dewdrop  is  glist'ning. 
Arise,  and  song  render, 

Yours  with  the  bird,  mingling 

Dearest,  you  are  dreaming 

Of  sorrows  that  are  past, 
Awake  from  your  sorrowing. 

To  enjoy  morn's  rich  repast. 

Its  nectar  the  gods  would  sip. 
With  rapture  would  be  inhaling, 

While  you  repose  in  sleep. 
The  nectar  should  be  quaffing 


MAPLE  VALE. 


Beneath  the  hills  of  Springfield 

A  mansion  lies  reposing, 
For  scenery  all  to  it  must  yield, 

So  picturesque  and  imposing. 

Sequestered  amid  mountains. 

This  villa  so  lovely,  so  cwiet,     i  -^ 

Environ'd  'mid  forests  and  4)xuLvcf 3, 
Delight  all  who  w^t  xt.'^i^J^/f 

Its  arbors  bloom  with  rare  flowers, 
Their  odor  the  air  perfuming, 

The  resort  of  recluse  and  lovers. 
Their  fragrance  inhaling. 


MAPLE   VALE.  119 

Birds  of  song  and  bright  plumage, 

In  its  groves  meandering, 
No  place  in  this  romantic  villa 

For  scenery  with  it  comparing. 

On  plateau  tall  trees  o'er  it  wave, 
O'erlooking  cascades  sparkling, 

Tis  called  Maple  Vale, 

For  its  maples  stately  and  towering. 

Its  hills  are  deck'd  so  gaily. 

Below  a  river  is  gliding, 
'Mid  environments  so  fairy. 

Visitors  delight  in  rambling. 

This  sequester'd  home  Elysian, 
With  surroundings  so  enchanting, 

Its  hostess  the  cultur'd  Helen, 

Her  guests  sumptuously  entertaining. 


120  MAPLE    VALE. 

May  the  owner  of  this  lovely  villa, 

O'er  it  so  gracefully  presiding, 
And  her  daughter,  the  fair  Etta, 

Like  its  cascades,  be  ever  bright  and  sparkling. 


THE  MILK  MAID, 


Near  a  hamlet  on  the  lawn, 
A  milk  maid  oft  was  seen, 

On  starry  eve,  at  dewy  morn, 
Upon  the  crested  green. 

Birds  carolM  notes  of  song. 

That  echo'd  o'er  the  hill, 
The  maid's  was  heard  at  early  dawn, 

With  the  streamlet's  gentle  rill. 

This  dairy  maid  so  lovely, 
Who  in  milking  took  delight, 

When  lo,  a  youth  tall  and  stately 
Stood  beside  her  one  fair  night. 


122  THE   MILK  MAID. 

He  in  dulcet  tones  so  soft, 
Whisper'd  to  her,  thus  milking, 

Darling,  I  love  thee,  have  seen  thee  oft, 
At  dewy  morn  and  evening. 

She  arose,  saw  a  youth  tall  and  fair, 
Before  him  she  stood  offended. 

As  she  viewM  his  form,  his  waving  hair, 
Her  milking  she  suspended. 

He  the  offended  maid  did  quiet, 
Caress'd  and  fondly  kiss'd  her. 

These  she  returned  with  rapt  delight 
That  milking  never  gave  her. 

On  the  cottage  lawn  no  more  was  seen 
This  dairy  maid  at  morn  night. 

She  her  milking  pail  toss'd  on  the  green, 
Preferr'd  by  far  her  gallant  knight. 


TO    LIZZIE. 

Elizabeth,  England^s  virgin  Queen 
Gave  to  Britain  power,  fame. 

On  Afric^s  shore  did  reign 
An  illustrious  Queen  of  similar  name. 

Dido,  who  Carthage  founded, 
Eliza  was  the  name  she  bore. 

Her  gallant  sons  to  Rome  surrendered, 
In  battle  fell  to  rise  no  more. 

But  England's  trident  waves 

Beyond  fair  Afric's  bound, 
It  all  seas  doth  lave. 

In  all  climes  'tis  found. 


124  TO   LIZZIE. 

Not  all  Elizas  can  queenly  power  attain. 

Or  rule  o'er  kingdoms,  people, 
But  in  her  womanly  domain 

Her  devotees  are  ample. 

'Tis  the  adornment  of  the  mind, 
That  lends  the  graces  of  attraction, 

The  gentle,  loving,  kind. 
Receive  homage,  adoration. 

Whate'er  woman's  sphere  in  life, 

Humble  or  luxurious, 
To  be  a  mother,  a  devoted  wife. 

Nobler  than  reign  Empress. 


TO    ETTA 


Etta,  my  darling  Etta, 
Pride  of  hamlet  and  villa, 
With  a  face  so  angelic, 
A  form  graceful,  exquisite. 

None  so  fair  as  my  Etta, 
With  tresses  light  and  wavy, 
A  voice  sweet  as  zephyrs, 
That  falls  in  gentle  whispers. 

With  my  darling,  my  dearest. 
Would  roam  the  deep  forest  ; 
With  Etta  as  my  own, 
Would  hie  to  some  fairy  home. 


126  TO  ETTA. 

To  ramble,  mid  roses  and  bowers, 
Rare  delight  would  be  ours. 
Luscious  fruit  would  garner, 
As  we  journey'd  together. 

Amid  scenes  enchanting, 
With  my  Etta  tarrying. 
On  the  starry  dome  of  night, 
Would  gaze  with  rapt  delight. 

In  this  sequester'd  retreat. 
To  comfnune  with  nature  sweet. 
From  this  fairy  forest  home. 
Would  ne'er  again  roam. 

There  to  dwell  with  my  Etta, 
Pride  of  hamlet  and  villa, 
'Mid  its  roses  and  flowers 
Would  spend  happiest  of  hours. 


THE    ROSE 


The  rose,  of  all  flowers  the  loveliest 
That  blooms  in  vale  or  forest, 
So  radiant,  so  ruddy, 
So  inimitable  in  beauty. 

So  delicious  in  odor. 
Sought  by  recluse  and  lover. 
The  air  perfum'd  with  its  fragrance, 
O'er  all  flowers  has  precedence. 

It  decks  the  temple,  the  altar. 
The  desk  of  savan,  philosopher, 
Adorns  the  bride,  the  groom. 
Fairest  of  flowers  that  bloom. 


128  THE   ROSE. 

Choice  of  Adonis  and  Venus, 
Found  in  cottage  and  palace, 
Reigns  queen  of  the  arbor, 
Of  the  toilet,  the  boudoir. 

Priz'd  by  subject,  monarch, 
Seen  on  throne,  in  hamlet. 
Worn  by  orator,  student. 
The  hero  and  warrior  valiant. 

Festoons  the  sculptur'd  hall, 
The  corridors  of  the  festive  ball. 
The  sumptuous  table  graces. 
Adorns  the  guests  and  pages. 

Copied  by  Limner,  artist. 
Glowing  with  life  on  canvas. 
Gilds  the  rustic  home. 
The  ornate  palatial  dome. 


THE  ROSE.  129 

Of  all  flowers  the  choicest, 
Its  fragrance  the  rarest, 
So  brilliant,  so  ruddy, 
So  radiant,  so  pretty. 

Of  love  a  token  to  Priscilla, 
Resident  in  cottage  or  villa, 
Emblem  of  constancy,  purity, 
Of  devotion,  fidelity. 

The  rose,  so  inimitable  in  color, 
So  delicious  in  its  odor. 
Delights  for  a  season,  a  summer, 
Its  beauty  departs  forever. 

So  ruddy  at  dewy  morn, 
From  its  stem  rudely  may  be  torn. 
At  dawn  fair  and  blooming, 
Before  night  fading  and  drooping. 


180  TO   MARY. 

To  mortals,  the  rose  a  picture 
Of  life's  blooming,  fading  nature  ; 
At  morn  rising  ruddy  and  radiant, 
Ere  night  lie  sleeping  and  silent. 


T^2^ 


TO    MARY, 

In  the  morn  gathering  flowers 
*Mid  the  dew-crested  bowers, 
I  beheld  a  gentle  lassie, 
The  prettiest  flower  of  any. 

A  form  sylph-like,  so  fairy, 
So  queenly  in  her  beauty, 
*Mid  the  roses  she  glided, 
As  I  gazed,  was  delighted. 


TO   MARY.  131 


Her  eyes  were  sparkling, 
Her  smiles  quite  bewitching. 
A  face  so  angelic,  so  fair, 
With  bright  golden  hair. 

Her  notes  fell  melodious, 
Soft  as  the  lyre  of  Orpheus, 
To  music  so  enchanting, 
EntrancM  I  was  list'ning. 

Amid  all  flowers  the  loveliest, 
Among  all  girls  the  fairest. 
None  can  compare  with  Mary, 
So  lithe  and  so  pretty. 

Among  the  roses  so  ruddy, 
I  beheld  this  queenly  beauty, 
As  amid  them  she  did  glide, 
I  strode  near  to  her  side. 


132  TO   MARY. 

As  I  gently  approached  her, 
A  kiss  I  stole  from  her. 
I  bade  this  angel  good  bye, 
From  her  parted  with  a  sigh. 

At  morn,  'mid  the  roses  sweet, 
I  chanc'd  this  fairy  to  meet, 
The  brief  hour  we  spent  together, 
Fond  memory  will  recall  ever. 


KATY  BROWN. 


My  charming  Katy  Brown, 

With  a  form  so  shapely, 
The  loveliest  girl  in  town, 

So  tall  and  so  stately. 

My  dearest  Katy  Brown, 

With  eyes  so  bewitching. 
With  tresses  waving  far  down, 

They  all  girls  surpassing. 

My  darling  Katy  Brown, 

Of  you  I  have  been  dreaming, 

Will  you  meet  me  on  the  fairy  down 
On  this  moonlight  evening  ? 


134  KATY   BROWN. 

The  roses  are  bright  and  ruddy, 
Their  fragrance  should  be  sipping 

Then  toss  aside  your  books  and  study, 
And  with  me  be  tripping. 

Don't  disappoint  me,  Katy  Brown, 

I  will  be  lonely,  darling, 
You  will  find  me  near  the  lawn, 

Don't  keep  me  waiting. 

My  charming  Katy  Brown, 

I  love  you  most  dearly, 
Say  you  will  be  my  own. 

Answer,  darling,  quickly. 

I  wait  a  reply,  Katy  Brown, 

So  tall  and  so  stately. 
The  loveliest  girl  in  town. 

Say  yes,  and  I  am  happy. 


TO  A    WEDDED  PAIR. 


The  highest  bliss  that  mortals  know 
Is  to  be  found  in  wedded  life, 

"Tis  an  Elysium  below 

To  be  mated,  man  and  wife. 

To  enjoy  connubial  bliss,  the  pair 
In  wedlock  should  be  mated, 

For  happiness  in  homes  is  rare, 
Unless  hearts  in  love  are  plighted. 

'Tis  requited  love  alone 

Gives  to  wedded  life  its  cheer, 

It  gilds  the  rustic  home. 
It  dries  the  falling  tear. 


136  TO  A  WEDDED   PAIR. 

There  is  nought  on  earth  beside, 
No  festive  hall  or  music  sweet, 

Imparts  the  bliss  of  a  loving  bride 
And  groom,  who  mated,  fondly  greet. 

May  it  be  your  happy  lot  to  enjoy 
This  marital  bliss  through  life. 

With  no  regrets,  without  alloy, 
With  your  chosen,  wedded  wife. 


THE  HERMIT  HOME, 


On  yon  mountain  side, 
A  cottage  was  dimly  seen, 

In  it  a  hermit  did  reside, 
O'er  it  grew  the  ivy  green. 

This  home  to  the  hermit  dear, 
He  long  in  it  had  dwelt, 

With  one  to  him  most  near, 
Who  now  beneath  it  slept. 

'Twas  the  home  of  his  bride, 
The  bride  he  lov*d  so  well ; 

Their  life  was  bliss,  she  died, 
No  one  the  void  could  fill. 


138  THE   HERMIT   HOME. 

This  lonely  cottage  home, 
The  winds  do  o'er  it  glide, 

No  footsteps  in  it  roam, 
Vacant  its  fireside. 

Wintry  snows  sweep  it  o*er. 
Summer  flowers  still  bloom, 

The  bridal  pair  ne'er  more, 
Will  its  corridors  festoon. 

This  home  on  mountain  high, 
No  voice  in  it  is  heard, 

No  note  of  song  or  sigh. 

Nought  but  the  mocking  bird. 

It  stands  bleak  and  sombre, 
Once  had  inmates  gay. 

Its  hosts  have  left  it  ever. 
They  silent  near  it  lay. 


OAK  HALL.  339 

Bride  and  groom  rest  together, 

Ivy  o'er  them  doth  creep, 
Side  by  side  they  slumber, 

On  mountain  crest  they  sleep. 


«fr- ^^s<^^ "^ 

OAK    HALL. 

In  the  delightful  village  of  Clairmont, 

A  unique  mansion  is  seen, 
Strangers  to  visit  are  wont, 

And  partake  of  the  luxuries  within. 

Environ'd  'mid  roses  and  bowers, 
Its  scenery  picturesque,  lovely, 

In  its  gardens  bloom  rare  flowers, 
Trees  o'er  it  wave  tall  and  stately. 


140  OAK   HALL. 

This  mansion,  not  ornate  in  architecture, 
Plain,  but  chaste  in  its  elegance, 

Admir'd  by  the  beholder 

For  its  subdu'd  magnificence. 

This  beautiful  mansion, 

Its  flowers  fragrant,  exquisite, 

An  ensemble  of  attraction. 
Delighting  all  who  it  visit. 

May  the  fair  hostess  of  this  villa  so  pretty, 

Presiding  o'er  it  so  graceful. 
Like  its  roses,  be  radiant  and  ruddy. 

Live  to  enjoy  a  happy  centennial. 


THE    SNOW. 


The  snow,  the  crystal  snow, 
In  it  youth  sport  and  play, 

Whence  it  comes  we  do  not  know, 
It  hies  from  far  away. 

The  beautiful  flakes  of  snow, 
They  bring  a  merry  cheer, 

Impart  to  youth  a  healthy  glow, 
Their  joyous  notes  we  hear. 

The  white,  fleecy  snow, 

So  pretty  and  so  fairy, 
Swift  coursers  o'er  it  go. 

With  lads  and  lasses  merry. 


142  THE  SNOW. 

The  descending  flakes  of  snow, 
That  mantles  fields  and  hills. 

Rare  blessings  doth  bestow, 
The  farmer's  granary  it  fills. 

The  snow,  the  drifting  snow, 
That  piles  in  hillocks  deep. 

It  fills  the  vales  below. 

On  mountain  crest  they  sweep. 

Those  piles  of  drifted  snow. 

When  the  sun  o'er  them  is  risen. 

They  melt  and  sweep  the  vale  below, 
And  cities  lie  stranded,  riven. 

The  bright  crystal  snow. 

That  silent  falls  from  heaven, 

May  prove  a  friend  or  foe 
To  mortals  kindly  given. 


THE   RAINBOW.  143 

Those  beautiful  flakes  of  snow 

May  bring  delight  or  terror, 
The  seasons  do  them  bestow, 

Following  their  pathway  ever. 


•-^(H^ 


THE  RAINBOW. 


The  beautiful  rainbow, 

With  its  inimitable  hue, 
Circling  the  skies  below, 


With  its  orange  and  blue. 


The  variegated  rainbow. 

With  its  red,  yellow  and  white, 
Pure  as  the  driven  snow. 

Its  colors  so  soft  yet  bright. 


144  THE  RAINBOW. 

The  crescent  rainbow, 

Arching  the  heavens  above, 

Under  it  youths  essay  to  go, 
To  find  some  treasure  trove. 

The  evanescent  rainbow. 

To  copy  the  artist  would  try, 

He  to  nature  reverent  must  bow, 
It  all  art  doth  defy. 

The  coquettish  rainbow, 
Rob'd  in  garments  so  gay, 

Admirers  approaching,  she  says  no, 
And  prudishly  hies  away. 

.    The  brilliant  rainbow. 

That  on  azure  sky  doth  beam, 
Emblem  of  Iris  and  Juno, 

Heaven's  messenger  and  queen. 


THE   RAINBOW.  145 

The  celestial  rainbow, 

Spanning  the  heavens  o'er, 

Plac'd  there  as  a  token  to  show- 
That  waters  will  deluge  no  more. 

The  peerless  rainbow, 

How  short  thy  dazzling  reign, 
Scarcely  crown'd,  and  lo, 

Aside  thy  crown  is  lain. 

Mortals,  like  the  rainbow. 

For  a  brief  time  sparkle. 
Depart  whence  we  do  not  know. 

Perhaps  with  its  rays  to  mingle. 


THE  BABE  OF  BETHLEHEM. 


'Twas  said  a  star  brightly  shone, 
O'er  Bethlehem  was  beaming, 
It  onward  was  borne, 

O'er  a  babe  that  lay  sleeping. 

A  brilliant  noonday  star, 
Rose  in  the  heavens  above, 

'Twas  beheld  from  afar, 
As  a  messenger  of  love. 

By  Eastern  sages  'twas  seen, 
At  its  radiance  wondering. 

This  star  that  brightly  did  beam, 
Stood  o'er  an  infant  slumbering. 


THE  BABE  OF  BETHLEHEM.  147 

The  long  look'd-for  Messiah 

This  star  came  to  herald, 
To  point  to  the  infant  Saviour, 

That  prophets  had  foreshadowed. 

This  babe  born  at  Bethlehem, 
As  he  grew  maxims  taught  sublime, 

Precursors  of  a  millennium, 
His  sayings  were  divine. 

To  do  good,  no  selfish  aims  in  view, 
The  world  he  sought  to  reclaim, 

For  this  laborM,  no  rest  knew, 
And  for  his  zeal  was  slain. 

His  example  will  not  perish. 

Nought  can  his  deeds  efface, 
The  good  will  them  cherish. 

He  lived  for  his  race. 


148  AUTUMN  LEAVES. 

His  precepts  will  go  down  the  ages, 
Will  inspire  myriads  unborn, 

With  the  aphorisms  of  the  sages 
They  all  time  will  adorn. 


s^Q^s- 


AUTUMN   LEAVES. 


Those  frosted  flowers, 
Symbol  life's  fleeting  hours, 
A  spring  an  I  summer  gone, 
A  fading  autumn  come. 

Those  tinted  leaves  emblem 
Life's  unfolding  problem ; 
Its  spring-time,  summer,  winter. 
Its  budding,  fading  nature. 


AUTUMN  LEAVES.  149 

Those  leaves  are  drooping, 
Their  parent  stem  deserting; 
They  have  had  their  life  tenure, 
Will  bloom  again  never. 

Those  falling  leaves  remind  us 
That  seasons  are  coursing  by  us, 
That  we,  too,  have  had  our  bloom, 
Our  summer,  our  noon. 

Those  leaves  that  autumn  frosted, 
Our  locks  will  have  whiten'd, 
And  like  them  we  must  fall 
To  mother  earth  who  garners  all. 

The  leafless  forest  will  revive 
When  vernal  spring  arrives. 
But  leaves  that  have  fallen, 
No  power  can  restore  them. 


150  AUTUMN   LEAVES. 

The  seasons  will  course  on, 
Blooming  flowers  will  come, 
They  from  parent  stem  must  sever, 
'Tis  the  law  of  their  nature. 

Those  flowers  so  beautiful  in  hue. 
Spring  will  ne'er  again  renew, 
Seasons  with  them  are  pass'd 
They  fall  and  are  at  rest. 

So  our  seasons  will  soon  be  o'er, 
We  are  approaching  life's  wintry  shore, 
Its  frosts  will  overtake  us, 
No  genial  spring  can  revive  us. 

Those  leaves  emblem  to  mortals 
That  they  are  nearing  life's  portals, 
That  like  the  frosted  flowers, 
Will  have  liv'd  life's  fleeting  hours. 


THE  FALLING  TEAR, 


The  crystal  falling  tear, 
Life-drops  of  pearly  dew, 

Symbol  affection  dear 

For  him  she  lov'd  so  true. 

The  tears  that  silent  fall 

From  moisten'd  eyes, 
They  are  garner'd  all 

With  the  griefs  and  sighs. 

The  font  from  whence  they  flow, 
Who  their  depths  can  tell, 

A  mother's  heart  can  only  know, 
Who  lovM  her  child  so  well. 


162  THE   FALLING  TEAR. 

For  her  departed  they  are  shed, 
For  those  she  lov'd  weeps, 

For  her  darling  child  now  dead. 
Who  silent  near  her  sleeps. 

In  those  crystal  tears  w^e  see, 
As  they  downward  stream. 

Beyond  a  halcyon  sea, 

Where  brighter  skies  do  beam. 

The  glittering  stars  above 
Emblem  those  falling  tears, 

Symbols  of  unfailing  love. 
Enduring  as  the  years. 

The  silent  tear  has  fallen. 
The  moistenM  eyes  are  dry. 

The  sombre  clouds  have  risen. 
Unfolding  the  azure  sky. 


THE  FALLING  TEAR.  163 

Those  we  loved  so  well  below 

Will  ne'er  to  us  return, 
They  repose  where  tears  ne'er  flow 

In  mausoleum  or  urn. 

With  those  we  lov'd  so  true 

We  will  repose  ever  ; 
The  thunder's  roar,  the  bolt  it  threw 

Will  arouse  the  sleeper  never. 


TO-MORROW, 


The  to-morrow  will  come, 
As  the  hours  course  on, 
But  many  great  numbers 
Will  repose  in  their  slumbers. 

They  will  see  no  to-morrow, 
But  silent  will  lie, 
Know  no  joy,  no  sorrow. 
Ne'er  feel  a  pang  or  sigh. 

Before  the  to-morrow  dawn. 
To  the  mausoleum  may  be  borne, 
They  no  to-morrow  will  behold. 
The  shroud  them  will  enfold. 


TO-MORROW.  155 

The  to-morrow  to  us  is  uncertain, 
Veiled  by  an  impenetrable  curtain^ 
None  can  the  to-morrow  scan, 
No  seer,  astrologer  or  savan. 

No  ken  of  mental  prevision 
Can  know  their  to-morrow's  condition, 
Time  present  is  only  our  own, 
The  future  hidden,  unknown. 

The  fleeting  units  of  hours 
Are  all  that  are  ours, 
They  pass  by  and  are  gone, 
They  will  ne'er  to  us  return. 

Time,  then,  as  it  passes 

On  its  swift-winged  coursers, 

We  should  improve  as  it  flies. 

For  no  to-morrow  may  greet  our  eyes. 


156  TO-MORROW. 

As  mortals,  it  behooves  us 

Not  to  neglect  the  time  before  us, 

If  to-morrow  should  not  dawn, 

No  duties  will  have  been  left  undone. 

The  to-morrow  can  hail  with  rejoicing, 

Whatever  betides  its  coming, 

If  we  steadily  perform  our  duty. 

Our  to-morrow,  if  it  come,  will  be  happy. 


THE  PASSING  YEAR, 


The  year,  with  its  hopes  its  fears, 
Is  rapidly  passing  by  us, 

Freighted  with  love,  joy,  tears, 
Will  soon  have  left  us. 

'Twill  have  run  its  round, 
None  can  stay  its  flight, 

When  it  has  reach'd  its  bound, 
'Twill  sink  in  sombre  night. 

The  years  ceaseless  come  and  go, 
On  their  circuits  ne'er  do  stay. 

They  swiftly  pass,  and  lo, 

Mortals  lie  stranded  on  the  way. 


158  THE   PASSING  YEAR. 

They  no  joys  or  sorrows  know. 

Remorseless  their  rounds  do  run, 
In  their  path  the  dead  are  found  below, 
In  mausoleum  and  urn. 

We  are  but  waifs  on  lifers  tide, 

That  laves  the  near  and  farther  shore, 

As  the  years  do  o'er  us  glide, 

We  sink  beneath,  are  seen  no  more. 

The  years  will  onward  flow. 
They  course  and  silent  fall. 

Sweep  o'er  the  high,  the  low, 
The  prince  and  monarch  tall. 

As  we  sail  o'er  life's  stream. 

By  zephyrs  gently  borne. 
The  years  pass  by  as  a  dream, 

That  fades  ere  'tis  morn. 


THE   PASSING   YEAR.  159 

We,  like  passing  years,  will  slumber, 

As  they  do  o'er  us  roll. 
Will  not  hear  heaven^s  thunder, 

That  echoes  from  pole  to  pole. 

This  oblivious  sleep  will  be  ours 

When  coursing  time  has  o'er  us  fled, 

ReleasM  from  life's  cares,  sorrows, 
To  repose  with  the  silent  dead. 

As  the  years  onward  sweep. 

Should  improve  as  they  fly, 
The  coming  may  not  us  greet. 

With  the  past  will  silent  lie. 

Present  time  is  only  ours, 

Life  has  but  a  brief  tenure. 
Should  ne'er  neglect  the  passing  hours. 

But  works  perform  that  will  perish  never. 


AN    EL  YSIUM. 


Is  there  an  Elysium  when  life  is  o'er, 
When  it  has  ran  its  coursing  years, 

On  some  far-off  sylvan  shore, 
Or  amid  the  distant  spheres  ? 

A  serene  and  blissful  home, 
Where  we  will  dwell  forever, 

'Mid  yon  starry  depths  to  roam, 
Where  sorrows  ne'er  can  enter. 

Will  spirits  of  the  departed  meet 
On  the  orbs  above  that  glow. 

And  zephyrs  gentle,  sweet, 

Waft  us  to  those  we  lov'd  below 


AN  ELYSIUM.  161 

Those  that  before  us  pass'd  away, 
If  they  yon  spheres  do  inhabit, 

Amid  the  myriad  in  space  that  lay, 
Shall  we  them  find  and  visit  ? 

Will  we  together  wing  our  flight 
Amid  empyrean  heights  to  soar, 

Where  there  is  cloudless  day,  no  night. 
When  life  on  this  orb  is  o'er. 

If  this  Elysium  shall  be  ours, 
'Mid  the  spheres  to  dwell  for  endless  time, 

Then  swiftly  pass  the  days,  the  hours, 
When  we  amid  the  stars  shall  shine. 


THE    PARTING. 


We  must  part  from  those  we  love, 
When  life's  brief  term  is  o'er, 

Not  to  meet  on  spheres  above, 
But  on  yon  lethean  shore. 

There  in  repose  will  lie, 

As  coursing  ages  o'er  us  sweep. 
Ne'er  feel  a  pang  of  grief,  or  sigh, 

As  we  oblivious  sleep. 

Our  parting  day  will  come, 

Time  knows  no  delay. 
When  life's  race  is  run, 

Silent  we  must  lay. 


THE   PARTING.  163 

The  parting  will  not  be  long, 

We  too  must  cross  the  river, 
With  the  myriad  throng, 

None  can  the  voyage  hinder. 

In  this  silent  home, 

With  those  we  lov'd  will  dwell, 
From  it  ne'er  can  roam, 

Amid  cycles  none  can  tell. 

From  this  lethean  shore. 

From  this  tomb  of  nature, 
Will  part  again  no  more, 

But  rest  together  ever. 


WAITING. 


Why  don^t  my  darling  come  ? 

Why  so  long  from  me  tarry  ? 
Where  can  he  have  gone  ? 

Of  waiting  I  am  ^^i^.^'t^<Oi^'^ 

Hark,  footsteps  I  hear, 
Approaching  the  outer  door, 

I  think  it  is  my  dear, 
I  do  not  hear  them  more. 

If  it  is  my  absent  darling, 
Why  don't  he  gently  knock, 

And  not  keep  me  waiting  ? 
'Tis  after  one  o'clock. 


WAITING.  165 

Oh,  I  am  so  tired, 

But  I  cannot  sleep, 
For  my  dearest,  ador'd, 

I  must  vigils  keep. 

Why  does  my  darling  stay 

Away  from  me  so  long? 
^Tis  now  near  the  break  of  day. 

Oh,  it  is.  so  wrong. 

My  eyes  are  red  with  tears, 

What  has  my  love  befallen  ? 
Some  mishap,  I  have  grave  fears, 

Or  has  he  me  forsaken  ? 

The  day  is  now  dawning, 

I  can  no  longer  wait, 
I  must  retire,  sorrowing, 

How  sad  my  fate. 


166  THE  VOYAGE   OF  LIFE. 

So,  gentle  girl,  take  care 
How  you  hasty  marry, 

Of  those  youths  beware 
Who  revel  late  and  early. 


-3^5(5,^ 


THE   VOYAGE  OF  LIFE. 


Man's  life  is  fiU'd  with  care, 
Mingl'd  with  joy  and  sorrow, 

Rises  blooming  and  fair, 
Fades  ere  the  morrow. 

His  bark,  with  hope  freight'd, 
Voyages  'mid  islands  fairy, 

By  gentle  breezes  wafted, 

'Mid  scenes  elysean  does  tarry. 


THE   VOYAGE   OF   LIFE.  167 

He  sails  'mid  bowers  of  roses, 

To  gather  he  is  loitering, 
Until  the  tide  he  loses, 

And  his  bark  is  foundering. 

He  is  listening  to  sweet  song, 

He  heeds  not  his  danger, 
Tarries  and  loiters  too  long, 

Until  his  bark  goes  under. 

It  sinks  beneath  the  billow, 

He  lies  'mid  the  ocean  deep, 
The  waves  are  his  pillow, 

'Mid  their  refrains  doth  sleep. 

Mortals  on  the  ocean  of  life  toss'd. 
O'er  it  sail  without  compass  or  guide, 

Ere  the  port  gain'd  they  are  lost. 
Lie  stranded  on  the  tide. 


168  THE  VOYAGE   OF   LIFE. 

Our  bark  to  ensure  a  safe  voyage, 

Must  be  supplied  with  compass  and  oar, 

If  we  would  reach  a  sure  anchorage, 
The  tempest  ride  o'er. 

Nor  loiter  'mid  islands  fairy, 
To  garner  flowers  by  the  way, 

But  steady  pursue  life's  journey, 
Until  safely  anchor'd  we  lay. 


THE    SPRING, 

The  springtime  of  nature, 

The  gurgling  streams  and  brooks, 
Releas'd  from  the  icy  folds  of  winter, 

How  cheerful  it  looks. 

The  snow-mantl'd  hills, 

The  vales  and  the  mountains 

To  vernal  spring  yields, 
It  unlocks  the  fountains. 

The  early  flowers  are  blooming, 
The  tulip  and  primrose  are  seen, 

Birds  are  sweetly  singing. 

The  fields  are  deck'd  in  green. 


170  THE   SPRING. 

Earth  is  redolent  and  gay, 
Forest  in  new  garments  are  clad, 

Trees  loaded  with  blossoms  do  sway, 
All  nature  is  smiling  and  glad. 

Lovers  in  springtime  are  wooing, 
Sit  beneath  the  shady  bowers. 

The  amours  of  nature  viewing 
In  the  petals  and  flowers. 

Spring,  with  its  inspiring  forces 
Restores  inert  nature  to  life. 

It  for  all  organic  creatures 
Provides  a  mate  and  a  wife. 

Spring,  so  ruddy  and  so  fair, 
In  its  coming  we  rejoice, 

With  its  font  of  blessings  rare. 
Of  all  seasons,  'tis  my  choice. 


LOVE 


As  of  love  I  essay  to  dwell, 
The  muses  my  pen  inspire, 

And  guide  my  thoughts  to  tell 
Whence  this  sacred  fire. 

A  force,  a  power  divine, 

It  reigns  supreme, 
Not  bound  by  space  or  time, 

Or  forms  of  being. 

For  all  climes  'twas  made. 
From  equator  to  far  pole, 

It  doth  the  orbs  pervade. 
And  all  worlds  that  roll. 


172  LOVE. 

Dwells  in  the  fragrant  flower, 
The  tiniest  mote  that  flies, 

The  eagle  that  on  high  doth  tower, 
His  mate  far  off  descries. 

In  what  sphere  or  place 
Did  it  begin  its  reign? 

Amid  what  species,  race? 
To  enquire  'tis  vain. 

The  muses  do  not  know 
Where  its  reign  began, 

In  which  orb,  above,  below. 
In  insect,  plant,  or  man. 

Tis  an  inspiring  force, 

A  creative  power. 
Unfolds  the  universe, 

Gives  life  to  the  tiniest  flower. 


LOVE.  173 

Without  love  life  how  drear, 
Earth  in  solitude  would  glide, 

No  homes,  no  welcome  hear. 
Vacant  the  fireside. 

Silent  all  would  lie 

Oblivious  in  slumber, 
No  joy  be  felt,  no  grief,  no  sigh, 

Amid  the  realms  of  nature. 

Fields  would  lose  their  verdure. 

No  flowers  to  bud  or  bloom, 
Their  odor  gone  forever, 

No  halls  or  corridors  festoon. 

No  note  of  music  heard, 

No  prattling  footsteps  fall, 
No  chirp  or  song  of  bird, 

Sombre,  silent  all. 


174  LOVE. 


Love  that  fills  the  cottage  home, 
Decks  the  earth  with  green, 

Nature  claims  it  for  her  own. 
She  imperial  reigns  as  queen. 

Gives  birth  to  all  life 

On  earth,  the  myriad  spheres. 
For  man  provides  a  darling  wife. 

It  dries  the  falling  tears. 

*Tis  the  font  of  bliss  to  all. 
Sweet  boon  of  life  to  mortals. 

Before  its  queenly  power  we  fall. 
And  worship  at  her  temples. 


THE   FAMILY  HOME. 

Home,  sweet  home, 

What  bliss  is  thine, 
Those  who  have  no  home 

Know  not  its  joys  divine. 

Nought  on  earth  beside 
Can  such  bHss  impart, 

Here  spouse  and  doting  bride 
Are  united  heart  with  heart. 

'Tis  a  paradise  to  mortals, 
Amid  those  homes  of  love, 

To  worship  at  their  altars 
Symbols  the  home  above. 


176  THE   FAMILY   HOME. 

Within  sweet  orizons  ascend, 

Paeans  of  song  arise, 
Their  notes  in  harmony  blend, 

Mount  to  the  azure  skies. 

Mother  homes  light  and  cheer, 
She  the  rustic  cottage  gilds, 

The  children  to  her  draw  near, 

Their  minds  with  sage  experience  fills. 

She  moulds  the  future  man, 
The  wayward  youth  she  guides, 

Who  can  a  mother's  influence  scan 
At  the  family  fireside. 

The  early  training  of  the  child, 
When  the  mind  is  plastic,  tender, 

A  mother^s  precepts  mild. 
Fruit  will  yield  ever. 


THE  FAMILY   HOME.  177 

Homes  of  love,  how  priz'd, 
When  the  family  at  the  altar  meet, 

Parents  by  children  idoliz'd. 
Listening  to  counsels  sweet. 

Such  homes  give  pure  delight, 
Flowers  that  parennial  bloom, 

They  cheer  the  sombre  night, 
Life's  pathway  festoon. 

Amid  homes  abound 

The  units  of  a  nation. 
The  forces  that  republics  found, 

That  mark  their  moral  station. 

They  are  the  country's  shield, 

In  peace  or  war  the  power. 
Guard  the  State,  the  tented  field, 

Protect  the  nation's  honor. 


178  THE   FAMILY   HOME. 

Where  homes  of  virtue  reign, 
No  thieves  will  they  create, 

No  vandal  robbers  will  power  attain, 
Or  rule  the  affairs  of  state. 

Where  patriot  homes  abound, 
And  youths  are  rightly  train'd, 

There  elected  presidents  are  found, 
The  nation's  honor  unstain'd. 

When  loving  homes  prevail, 
In  them  moral  precepts  taught, 

There  republics  will  not  fail, 
Senates  will  ne^er  be  bought. 

The  homes  of  our  ancestral  sires, 
The  colonial  patriots  moulded. 

Mothers  did  their  sons  inspire, 
Who  this  republic  founded. 


THE   SILENT   HOME.  179 

This  fabric  we  should  guard  with  care, 

Protect  with  jealous  honor, 
Virtuous  homes,  a  mother's  prayers 

Must  preserve  this  union  ever. 


~s-Si9^^ 


THE  SILENT  HOME, 


Gentle  stranger,  softly  tread, 
There  lie  beneath  your  feet 

Ashes  of  the  buried  dead, 
Of  those  who  silent  sleep. 

No  note,  no  voice  is  heard, 
Nought  but  the  footsteps  fall, 

The  echo  of  the  solemn  bird, 
0*er  this  quiet  home  of  all. 


180  THE   SILENT   HOME. 

That  form  of  matchless  grace, 
Those  eyes  of  lustrous  power, 

That  rivals  vanquished  in  the  race. 
She  queen  doth  reign  no  more. 

All  here  oblivious  -Me^  ^^^zi/^^<?^'^-^ 
He  who  ^mid  the  realms  did  soar, 

Hears  not  heaven's  thunder, 
Or  the  cyclone's  fierce  roar. 

All  beneath  silent  aittmbct;  ^€<Le^ 
The  astronomer  unvailing  spheres. 

Unknown  worlds  that  roll  on  high, 
Marks  not  their  coursing  years. 

The  orator  with  words  of  fire, 
Listening  senators  sway'd  at  will, 

His  eloquence  will  ne'er  more  inspire. 
Stark  he  lays  and  still. 


THE   SILENT   HOME.  181 

Statesmen,  whose  prescient  ken 
Republics  moulded,  founded, 

Those  great  and  illustrious  men 
Lie  beneath,  enshrouded. 

The  geologist,  delving  earth. 

To  learn  its  unfolding, 
To  discern  its  age,  its  birth. 

Lies  in  it  mouldering. 

Monarchs  lie  silent  here. 

Oblivious  and  powerless, 
Heaven's  artillery  do  not  hear, 

Their  repose  is  endless. 

The  warrior  drenchM  in  gore, 

Lays  beneath,  sombre. 
Hears  not  the  cannon's  roar. 

The  bayonet  clash  or  sabre. 


182  THE   SILENT   HOME. 

The  savan  studying  nature's  laws, 
Life's  problem  to  discover, 

Its   end    now  knows, 

His  studies  have  ceas'd  ever. 

The  preacher  with  words  that  glow, 
Sinners  arousM  from  torpor, 

Silent  they  rest  below, 
Congregation  and  pastor  tegether. 

Those  we  lov'd  here  repose. 
As  we  softly  near  them  tread, 

There  lie  mingl'd  friends  and  foes. 
In  this  home  of  all  the  dead. 

Its  denizens  are  equal, 

Prince,  subject,  monarch  tall, 

Beggar,  miser,  all  people. 
Silent  lie,  powerless  all. 


AMBITION.  183 

Hark  !  are  voices  whispering? 

Are  spirits  hovering  round  ? 
Stranger,  while  you  listen, 

Tread  gently  this  sacred  ground. 


^^(^ 


AMBITION. 


Ambition,  an  inspiring  power, 
A  marvellous  creation, 

It  aloft  doth  soar. 
Seeking  high  station. 

What  mortal  can  it  scan, 
Its  latent  forces  know, 

That  impels  inert  man 
To  action  here  below. 


184  AMBITION. 

Whence  this  vaulting  ambition, 

Those  towering  aims, 
This  thirsting  for  position, 

Those  longings  after  fame. 

Where  did  it  begin  to  reign  ? 

In  what  sphere  or  place? 
Was  it  in  yonder  domain, 

Amid  the  angelic  race  ? 

*Twas  said  ambitious  spirits,  bold, 
That  in  heaven  did  dwell, 

The  standard  of  revolt  did  unfold, 
And  were  thrust  into  hell. 

The  brazen  chariots  roll'd, 
The  battle  echo'd  round, 

The  rebels  into  Tartarus  were  hurl'd, 
'Mid  triple  walls  were  bound. 


AMBITION.  185 

This  ambitious  rebel  host 

Sought  rule  in  heaven  to  gain, 

In  conflict  with  the  supreme  lost, 
Were  doom'd  to  penal  fires  of  flame. 


Where  do  those  tar^arean  fires  glow  ? 

Where  do  they  sisge.'and  roll  ? 
Amid  what  orbs,  above,  below, 

Beneath  equator  or  far  pole  ? 


Who  did  those  fires  light, 
Where  rebellious  spirits  lie  ? 

Who  were  worst'd  in  the  fight. 
Was  it  he  who  rules  on  high  ? 

Were  those  ceaseless  fires  of  flame 
Kindled  by  the  supreme, 

To  torture  with  endless  pain, 
Those  to  whom  he  gave  being  ? 


186  ■  AMBITION. 

Those  powers  the  creator  does  bestow 
Upon  the  dwellers  in  yon  domain, 

He  their  ambitious  aims  did  know, 
Or  he  omniscient  did  not  reign. 

The  gods  who  rule  are  just, 

The  habitats  of  earth,  of  myriad  spheres, 
Their  magna  mater  can  trust. 

Of  tartarean  fires  have  no  fears. 


HOPE. 

Hope  gives  to  life  its  cheer, 
Lightens  its  burdens,  cares. 
To  mortals  kindly  given. 
Or  who  could  suffer  being. 

Amid  the  storms  of  life, 
Its  ills,  sorrows,  strife, 
Hope  beholds  a  brighter  day. 
It  lights  our  dreary  way. 

Beyond  the  clouds  are  seen 
Stars  that  brightly  beam. 
The  murky  vapors  rise. 
Reveal  the  azure  skies. 


188 


HOPE. 

Hope,  a  font,  whose  sylvan  flow 
Festoons  our  path  below 
With  flowers  that  perennial  bloom. 
That  shed  on  life  a  sweet  perfume. 

As  o'er  the  stream  of  life  we  sail, 
Hope  knows  no  such  word  as  fail. 
It  manfully  applies  the  oar, 
Safely  to  ride  the  tempest  o'er. 

Though  storm-tossM  and  riven, 
Hope  views  a  halcyon  haven. 
Which  he  seeks  to  enter, 
Within  securely  ride  at  anchor. 

As  o^er  mountain  crest  we  travel. 
On  distant  vistas  revel, 
Scenes  elysian,  fairy. 
Cheer  us  as  we  journey. 


HOPE.  189 

Hope  builds  a  palatial  home, 
With  ornate  corridors  and  dome, 
Its  arbors  bloom  with  fragrant  flowers, 
In  which  to  while  the  passing  hours. 

This  gorgeous  home,  so  lovely, 

Pictur'd  to  our  fancy, 

Away  this  airy  home  it  flies, 

It  ne'er  will  greet  our  mortal  eyes, 

In  life's  declining  years, 
Hope  to  be  devout,  oft  at  prayers, 
To  give  liberally  to  pious  uses. 
And  thus  atone  for  long  abuses. 

The  gods  who  rule  above,  below. 
On  the  worthy  their  gifts  bestow, 
Not  pious  uses  nor  saintly  parsons 
Will  secure  us  tranquil  havens. 


190  HOPE. 

To  meet  life's  rude  encounter, 
Hope  and  effort  must  go  together, 
By  these  the  port  we  can  gain, 
Hope  alone,  how  vain. 

This  expectant  haven  we  can  enter 
By  honest  toil,  moral  culture. 
Pretentious  zeal,  priestly  lore 
Will  strand  our  bark  on  rocky  shore. 

To  gain  entrance  to  this  harbor, 
In  it  ride  secure  at  anchor, 
We  the  bark  must  man,  must  guide, 
If  we  would  o'er  life's  tempest  ride. 

To  enter  this  halcyon  haven. 
From  false  guides  must  be  ridden, 
With  honest  effort  apply  the  oar, 
The  gods  are  just,  require  no  more. 


TIME 


Time,  thou  art  master, 
Supreme  thou  dost  reign, 

O'er  every  living  creature. 
Within  thy  vast  domain. 

Thou  hadst  a  beginning, 

'Mid  the  depths  of  the  past, 

Will  ne'er  have  an  ending 
While  the  universe  lasts. 

When  orbs  in  space  were  hurl'd, 

Began  their  circling  round 
As  they  onward  whirled, 
'    Thou  didst  them  bound. 


192  TIME. 

Thou  mark'dst  their  flight 
As  they  cours'd  their  way 

*Mid  the  soHtudes  of  night, 
Ere  there  was  dawn  or  day. 

Before  life  on  the  spheres  there  came, 
Thou  didst  their  pathway  trace, 

As  they  revolv'd  in  fire  and  flame, 
Amid  the  realms  of  space. 


To  register  time  there  was  none, 
There  were  no  recorded  pages, 

*Mid  empyrean  heights  alone. 
The  orbs  cours'd  for  ages. 

As  cycles  onward  roll'd, 

The  earth  gave  birth  to  man. 

As  he  science  did  unfold, 
Her  orbital  time  did  scan. 


TIME.  193 

Nought  before  time  can  stand, 

He  hath  imperial  sway, 
He  sweeps  o*er  ocean,  land, 

And  myriads  prostrate  lay. 

Beneath  him  there  repose 

All  forms  of  life  and  being, 
He  no  friend  or  foe  knows. 

None  his  eye  escaping. 

Before  his  relentless  scythe  there  lie. 

The  countless  dead  that  sleep, 
They  lay  pil'd  mountains  high, 

Beneath  his  hoary  sweep. 

Since  Saturn's  reign  on  earth  began, 

He  to  none  hath  shown  favor. 
All  forms  of  life  to  imperial  man 

Have  fallen  before  this  mighty  slayer. 


TO  A    WEDDED  WIDOW, 


Arise,  my  love,  'tis  morn, 
And  quaff  its  inspiring  glow  ; 

Perhaps  you  dream  of  days  forlorn, 
And  years  of  wedded  woe. 

Arise  to  happier  days. 

Dreams  will  no  more  disturb  you, 
Nought  shall  chill  those  genial  rays, 

Inspired  by  love  so  true. 

The  shades  of  night  have  sped, 
Apollo  yon  mountain  gilds, 

Knox  before  his  rays  have  fled, 
He  lights  the  vales  and  hills. 


TO  A  WEDDED  WIDOW.  195 

Rise  with  the  blush  of  dawn, 

Sol's  early  beams  to  greet, 
With  the  birds  unite  your  song. 

With  notes  of  music  sweet. 

Rise,  behold  the  pearly  dew, 

Like  diamonds  o'er  the  fields, 
The  skies  of  azure  blue, 

The  streamlet's  gentle  rills. 

Arise,  the  hills  are  deck'd  in  bloom, 

No  more  of  sorrows  dream. 
Darling,  do  not  repose  till  noon, 

You  miss  the  enchanting  scene. 


A    WELL-SPENT  LIFE, 


An  old  man,  bow'd  and  gray, 
Frost'd  by  four  score'years, 

As  on  dying  couch  he  lay, 

To  pass  the  vale  had  no  fears. 

His  voyage  of  life  was  o'er. 
He  had  weather'd  its  storm  ; 

Calm  he  view'd  the  lethean  shore. 
On  gentle  zephyrs  borne. 

He  felt  lifers  ebbing  tide. 
As  yon  port  he  was  nearing. 

On  works,  not  faith,  relied 
To  reach  its  tranquil  haven. 


A  WELL-SPENT  LIFE.  197 

His  benevolence  was  broad, 

He  had  no  pretentious  zeal, 
Pamper'd  not  pious  fraud, 

Who  pray,  but  no  vices  heal. 

His  cottage  door  was  open, 
The  deserving  did  not  turn  away, 

What  he  had  was  freely  given, 
With  gifts,  kind  words  did  say. 

The  promises  he  made 

With  fidelity  were  kept. 
To  do  the  right  was  not  afraid, 

Oft  for  the  afflicted  wept. 

He  rail'd  not  at  foibles. 
But  vices  did  rebuke : 

He  had  no  disguises. 
The  highest  good  he  sought. 


198  A  WELI^SPENT  LIFE. 

He  Hv'd  to  benefit  his  race, 
His  hands  unstain'd  with  lucre. 

Sought  not  power,  place, 
Kept  unblemish'd  his  honor. 

He  beheld  a  deity 
In  yonder  starry  dome, 

That  deck'd  the  earth  with  beauty, 
A  magnificence  her  own. 

The  tiny  summer  flower, 

The  mighty  spheres  that  roll, 

Symbol'd  to  him  a  power. 
That  all  things  control. 

He  worshiped  in  no  temple, 

Bow'd  before  no  altar. 
Under  nature's  dome,  ample, 

Sang  orisons  and  psalter. 


A  WELL-SPENT  LIFE,  199 

His  kindly  acts  will  not  perish, 

Flowers  that  perennial  bloom, 
The  good  them  will  cherish, 

Life's  pathway  will  festoon. 

They  will  go  down  the  ages, 

Live  in  the  coming  future, 
Add  a  ripple  to  life's  pages, 

That  will  flow  on  ever. 

The  gods  the  worthy  know, 

The  good  will  forget  never, 
On  those  their  gifts  bestow, 

Who  equivalents  render. 

The  scales  are  justly  held, 

The  balances  are  proven. 
Their  judgments  ne'er  sold. 

Decrees  are  rightly  given. 


200  A  WELL-SPENT  LIFE. 

A  tribunal  of  last  resort, 
From  it  lies  no  appeal, 

Verdicts  are  never  bought, 
Gold  is  of  no  avail. 

Nature  is  always  true 

To  the  children  she  bore, 

They  who  the  right  pursue, 
Are  safe,  she  asks  no  more. 


THE  BROKEN    VASE. 


1 


VY  CORNELIUS  B.    SCHERMERHORN. 


The  broken  vase,  to  mortals  emblem 
Life's  short  continuance  here, 

Points  to  its  fated  problem 
On  this  terrestrial  sphere. 

The  vase  filled  with  flowers  gay, 
Youth,  who  did  those  offerings   bring, 

Dreamed  of  pleasures  fai*  away,  - 
May  ne'er  behold  returning  spring. 

Lovers    who     sipped     the    fragrant 
flowers 
That  did  this  shattered  vase  adorn, 

Who  looked  for  many  blissful  hours, 
May  part,  ere  the  morrow's  morn. 

The  heart,  like  the  broken  vase, 
.Once  innocent  and  fair, 

Some  treacherous  foe  and  base, 
May  it  asunder  tear. 

The  flowers  'mid  their  perfume. 
From  the  stem  may  be  rudely  torn. 

Or  fade  before  the  vernal  noon. 
Or  blighted  by  the  storm. 

The  broken   vase  we  cannot  restore, 
Nor  the  flowers  that  once  did  bloom, 

Their    fragrance   will  be  sipp'd    no 
'more. 
Nor  halls  nor  corridors  festoon. 

The  shatteredSsfl^s,  so  costly  rare, 
The  parts  will  never  more  adhere. 

Upon  it  and  the  flowers  once  fair, 
We  sadly  gaze  and  drop  a  tear. 

The  flowers  and  the  broken  vase, 
Symbol  life's  brief  tenure  here, 

That  it  has  run  its  allotted  race, 
Upon  this  mundane  sphere. 

We  are  fated  mortals  here  below. 
To  know  the  future  is  not  given, 

As  o'er  the  stream  of  life  we  go, 
Like  the  vase  may  be  broken,  riven. 

Life  on  this  sphere  at  best, 
Is  but  of  sho^;;duMition, 
'    From  itfe^^^mrife  we  rest. 
To  brighter  Vista's  waking. 

X — '■ 


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